bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A simple isokinetic cycle for measurement of leg muscle function
Authors: Lands L. C. , Hornby L. , Desrochers G. , Iler T. , Heigenhauser G. J.
Published: December 2017

The measurement of net pedaling torque during isokinetic cycling allows for the evaluation of leg muscle strength and work capacity over fixed time intervals. However, the expense and difficulty of constructing an isokinetic cycle have limited the widespread application of this useful research tool. We have modified a simple commercially available isokinetic cycle that uses hydraulics to maintain pedaling velocity. A strain gauge on the flywheel axle strut measures the torsion on the strut caused by pedaling. To evaluate this device, seven healthy subjects (3 males and 4 females) were each tested twice at 60, 90, and 120 rpm for peak power during a 10-s sprint and at 100 rpm for total work performed during a 30-s sprint. These results were compared with predicted values for age, height, and sex developed on a more complicated isokinetic cycle. Subjects also performed a progressive cycle ergometry test. For the group, peak power was 97.30 +/- 12.64% of predicted (males 883.70 +/- 202.76 W; females 657.00 +/- 66.42 W) and work output was 107.70 +/- 15.75% of predicted (males 15.50 +/- 2.85 kJ; females 11.70 +/- 2.17 kJ), whereas maximal progressive exercise capacity was 126.40 +/- 25.84% (males 245.30 +/- 56.58 W; females 212.30 +/- 35.49 W). The relatively lower work values generated on this cycle (compared with the maximal progressive exercise capacity) can be attributed to the location of the strain gauge, resulting in measurement of effective work output on the flywheel.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nitric oxide release is present from incubated skeletal muscle preparations
Authors: Balon T. W. , Nadler J. L.
Published: December 2017

To determine whether nitric oxide (NO) synthase activity exists in rat skeletal muscle, media from incubated rat extensor digitorum longus muscle preparations were assayed for NO with a chemiluminescent detection system. Although small amounts of NO were detected in media alone, the addition of muscle increased NO concentration in the media by 30-fold. The release of NO into the media diminished over time. Either arginine (10(-6) M), sodium nitroprusside (10(-6) M), or prior electrical stimulation in vivo caused 50–200% increases (P < 0.05) in NO concentration. NG-monomethyl-L-arginine monoacetate (10(-6) M), an NO synthase inhibitor, decreased both basal 2-deoxyglucose transport and NO efflux, indicating that NO may play a role in modulating skeletal muscle carbohydrate metabolism. These data indicate that NO is released from an incubated skeletal muscle preparation and presents the possibility that muscle-derived NO may play an important metabolic role.
Soft palate muscle activity in response to hypoxic hypercapnia
Authors: Van der Touw T. , O'Neill N. , Amis T. , Wheatley J. , Brancatisano A.
Published: December 2017

We studied the effects of increasing respiratory drive on electromyographic (EMG) soft palate muscle (SPM) activity in nine anesthetized tracheostomy-breathing dogs during hypoxic hypercapnia (HH) with a 14% O2–8% CO2–78% N2 inspired gas mixture. Moving time average EMG activity was recorded from palatinus (PAL), levator veli palatini (LP), and tensor veli palatini (TP) muscles (with bipolar fine-wire electrodes) and diaphragm (DIA; with bipolar hook electrodes). During HH, peak inspiratory DIA activity increased from 18.8 +/- 1.3 to 30.1 +/- 2.0 arbitrary units and minute ventilation increased from 6.2 +/- 0.3 to 18.3 +/- 1.8 l/min (both P < 0.001). Phasic inspiratory, expiratory, and/or tonic EMG activity was present in each SPM during room air breathing (control) and increased during HH (P < 0.05), except for phasic inspiratory PAL and phasic expiratory TP activities. Peak inspiratory LP and TP activities increased during HH to 250 and 179% of control, respectively, and peak expiratory activity increased to 187, 235, and 181% of control in PAL, LP, and TP, respectively. These findings demonstrate respiratory-related regulation of SPM activity independent of local reflex control from the upper airway. However, the combined inspiratory and expiratory phasic recruitment of these muscles differs from the inspiratory recruitment of known upper airway dilator muscles.
Dynamic surface tension of surfactant TA: experiments and theory
Authors: Otis D. R. , Ingenito E. P. , Kamm R. D. , Johnson M.
Published: December 2017

A bubble surfactometer was used to measure the surface tension of an aqueous suspension of surfactant TA as a function of bubble area over a range of cycling rates and surfactant bulk concentrations. Results of the surface tension-interfacial area loops exhibited a rich variety of phenomena, the character of which varied systematically with frequency and bulk concentration. A model was developed to interpret and explain these data and for use in describing the dynamics of surface layers under more general circumstances. Surfactant was modeled as a single component with surface tension taken to depend on only the interfacial surfactant concentration. Two distinct mechanisms were considered for the exchange of surfactant between the bulk phase and interface. The first is described by a simple kinetic relationship for adsorption and desorption that pertains only when the interfacial concentration is below its maximum equilibrium value. The second mechanism is “squeeze-out” by which surfactant molecules are expelled from an interface compressed past a maximum packing state. The model provided good agreement with experimental measurements for cycling rates from 1 to 100 cycles/min and for bulk concentrations between 0.0073 and 7.3 mg/ml.
Relationship between Cr and breathing pattern in mechanically ventilated patients
Authors: Burnet H. , Bascou-Bussac M. , Martin C. , Jammes Y.
Published: December 2017

In mechanically ventilated patients the natural gas-conditioning process of the upper airways is bypassed by the use of an endotracheal tube or a tracheostomy. We hypothesized that under these conditions the breathing pattern may greatly influence the convective respiratory heat loss (Cr). Cr values were computed from minute ventilation (VE) and inspiratory and expiratory gas temperatures, which were measured in six patients under mechanical ventilation for the management of cranial trauma. In each patient the effects of 11–20 different breathing patterns were investigated. Relationships between Cr and VE and between combined tidal volume and respiratory frequency were obtained by simple and multiple linear regression methods, respectively. Comparison of the standard errors of estimate indicated that multiple linear regression gives the best fit. Thus, Cr was highly dependent on the breathing pattern and was not related only to VE. For the same VE value, Cr was higher when VE was achieved with high tidal volume and low respiratory frequency. These data are consistent with previous studies in which thermal exchanges through the upper airways were taxed by hyperventilation of frigid air.
Effect of heat stress on muscle energy metabolism during exercise
Authors: Febbraio M. A. , Snow R. J. , Stathis C. G. , Hargreaves M. , Carey M. F.
Published: December 2017

To examine the effect of heat stress on muscle energy metabolism during submaximal exercise, 12 endurance-trained men cycled on two occasions for approximately 40 min at 70% maximal O2 uptake in an environmental chamber at either 20 degrees C and 20% relative humidity (T20) or 40 degrees C and 20% relative humidity (T40). Trials were conducted > or = 1 wk apart in random order. No difference in mean O2 uptake was observed when exercise in T40 was compared with that in T20. In contrast, exercise in T40 resulted in a higher mean heart rate (P < 0.01) and respiratory exchange ratio (P < 0.05) compared with that in T20. Postexercise rectal and muscle temperatures were also higher (P < 0.01) in T40 than in T20. Lower (P < 0.01) postexercise creatine phosphate and higher creatine (P < 0.01) and ammonia (P < 0.05) were observed in muscle after exercise in T40 compared with T20. In addition, an increased (P < 0.01) muscle glycogenolysis and higher (P < 0.01) postexercise muscle lactate accumulation were observed during exercise in T40 compared with T20. In contrast, no differences were observed in postexercise concentrations of total adenine nucleotide pool (ATP+ADP+AMP), ATP/ADP ratio, or inosine 5′-monophosphate (IMP) when T40 was compared with T20. These results indicate that the rate of ATP utilization may be increased during exercise in the heat but that this increased energy demand is predominantly met by an increase in anaerobic glycolysis and creatine phosphate hydrolysis, preventing a reduction in total adenine nucleotide pool.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Dopamine and mucosal oxygenation in the porcine jejunum
Authors: Germann R. , Haisjackl M. , Hasibeder W. , Sparr H. , Luz G. , Plattner R. , Pernthaler H. , Friesenecker B. , Falk M.
Published: December 2017

The effect of intravenously delivered dopamine on jejunal tissue oxygenation was studied in 12 pigs anesthetized with midazolam and sufentanil and mechanically ventilated. A small segment of the jejunal mucosa and serosa was exposed by midline laparotomy and antimesenteric incision. Mucosal and serosal tissue PO2, mucosal microvascular hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and mucosal hemoglobin concentration were measured by means of Clark-type oxygen electrodes and tissue reflectance spectrophotometry, respectively. In five animals electromyogenic potentials of the jejunal wall were recorded. Measurements were performed under baseline conditions and after intravenous infusion of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and again 2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 of dopamine. The drug produced a dose-related increase in mucosal PO2 (from 26.5 Torr at baseline to 49 Torr at 32 micrograms of dopamine; P < 0.001) and mucosal hemoglobin oxygen saturation (from 55.1 to 70.1%; P < 0.03) but no change in serosal PO2 (from 70.6 to 65.5 Torr). In nine animals baseline mucosal PO2 and mucosal hemoglobin oxygen saturation showed rhythmic oscillations with a frequency of 2.5–5 cycles/min that could not be related to electromyogenic potentials. Dopamine decreased the oscillation amplitude of these two parameters (P < 0.001), and at doses > 16 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 they were no longer present. Dopamine therefore improves mucosal oxygenation of the porcine jejunum in a selective and dose-related manner. At higher doses the preexisting oscillatory pattern of mucosal oxygenation, which is most likely due to vasomotion, is impeded.
One-dimensional simulation of aerosol transport and deposition in the human lung
Authors: Darquenne C. , Paiva M.
Published: December 2017

One-dimensional transport models (trumpet model and multibranch-point model) derived from those developed to study gas transport and mixing in the lung are used to simulate aerosol deposition as a function of particle diameter and aerosol dispersion of inhaled bolus in human lungs. In agreement with previous studies, aerosol deposition is satisfactorily simulated by the different models. However, the differences between simulations and experiments of aerosol bolus dispersion suggest that current models are not realistic. This is probably due to the intrinsic limitations of the one-dimensional models to describe aerosol transport in the lung periphery. We show that future model analyses can probably use a symmetric acinar structure like the classic Weibel model of the lung but that multidimensional particle transport equations are required. Furthermore, a rigorous description of aerosol dispersion in the oral-laryngeal path is also needed.
Dynamic exercise enhances regional cerebral artery mean flow velocity
Authors: Linkis P. , Jorgensen L. G. , Olesen H. L. , Madsen P. L. , Lassen N. A. , Secher N. H.
Published: December 2017

Dynamic exercise enhances regional cerebral artery mean flow velocity. J. Appl. Physiol. 78(1): 12–16, 1995.--Anterior (ACA) and middle (MCA) cerebral artery mean flow velocities (Vmean) and pulsatility indexes were determined using transcranial Doppler in 14 subjects during dynamic exercise after assessment of the carbon dioxide reactivity for both arteries. Right hand contractions provoked an elevation in left MCA Vmean [19% (12–28); P < 0.01], whereas the pulsatility decreased in all four arteries (P < 0.05). During right foot movement, left ACA Vmean increased by 23% (11–37; P < 0.01) with lesser (approximately 10%; P < 0.05) increases in the other arteries, and pulsatility index decreased (P < 0.05). During cycling, ACA and MCA Vmean increased bilaterally by 23% (10–49) and 18% (5–32), respectively (P < 0.01), and the pulsatility was also elevated (P < 0.05). Cerebral artery pulsatility did not demonstrate a focal response but depended did not demonstrate a focal response but depended on the muscle mass involved during exercise. The data demonstrate a significant increase in Vmean for the artery supplying the cortical projection of the exercising limb. Insignificant and marginally significant increases in Vmean may be related to sympathetically mediated vasoconstriction and/or coactivation of untargeted muscle groups.
Lung growth in hypobaric normoxia, normobaric hypoxia, and hypobaric hypoxia in growing rats. I. Biochemistry
Authors: Sekhon H. S. , Thurlbeck W. M.
Published: December 2017

Adaptive changes in cellular and connective tissue components of the lung after chronic exposure to reduced ambient oxygen and/or pressure were studied. Four-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 12 each): 1) general control, room air (GC); 2) hypobaric normoxic; 3) normobaric hypoxic; 4) hypobaric hypoxic; and 5) weight-matched control, restricted food intake (WMC; weight matched to hypobaric hypoxic animals). Lung growth (lung weight and DNA, RNA, protein, hydroxyproline, and desmosine contents) diminished in WMC compared with GC. Somatic growth decreased in hypobaric and normobaric hypoxic rats compared with GC. Lung weight; DNA, RNA, protein, hydroxyproline, and desmosine contents; and RNA/DNA, protein/DNA, and desmosine/DNA ratios increased in both hypobaric and normobaric hypoxic rats compared with WMC. Hydroxyproline and desmosine contents and the hydroxyproline/DNA ratio were significantly higher in hypobaric than normobaric hypoxic rats. Hypobaric normoxia caused a slight somatic growth reduction, but biochemical parameters of lung growth remained unaffected. In conclusion, in growing animals, despite inhibition of lung growth due to reduced food consumption, accelerated lung growth in hypobaric or normobaric hypoxia occurs by hyperplastic and hypertrophic changes. Hypobaric normoxia does not affect lung growth, but connective tissue proteins accumulate slightly more in hypobaric hypoxia than in hypoxia alone.
Role of angiotensin II in hemodynamic responses to dynamic exercise in miniswine
Authors: Stebbins C. L. , Symons J. D.
Published: December 2017

Angiotensin II (ANG II) is a potent vasoconstrictor of splanchnic and renal resistance vessels. Because ANG II increases during exercise and blood flow in the splanchnic and renal circulations decreases, we tested the hypothesis that ANG II plays a role in arterial blood pressure and regional blood flow responses to treadmill running in the miniswine. Consequently, 11 pigs were instrumented with epicardial electrocardiogram leads and left atrial and aortic catheters to assess mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), myocardial contractility, cardiac output, and regional blood flow during treadmill running. Each animal exercised for 20 min at 80% of its maximal HR reserve. Exercise was performed in the absence and presence of the ANG II AT1 receptor antagonist losartan (15–20 mg/kg). ANG II AT1 receptor blockade attenuated the MAP and systemic vascular resistance responses to dynamic exercise but had no effect on cardiac output, HR, or myocardial contractility. In addition, blood flow increased and/or regional vascular resistance decreased in the heart, kidneys, stomach, small intestine, and colon, whereas the reverse occurred in the skin and spleen. These data suggest that ANG II contributes to the increase in MAP and redistribution of cardiac output associated with dynamic exercise.
Characterization of a density-corrected ultrasonic pneumotachometer for horses
Authors: Beadle R. E. , Guthrie A. J. , Kou A. H.
Published: December 2017

A density-corrected ultrasonic pneumotachometer designed specifically for horses (UF202) was evaluated and characterized with the aid of a custom-built apparatus. UF202 provided voltage outputs for airflow through and gas density within the flowhead. Baseline stability for flow channel output (VUF202) was < 0.35% full scale (FS), and VUF202 was linear over a range of +/- 50 l/s (R2 > or = 0.9976). Under optimal conditions, VUF202 accuracy was determined to be +/- 1.00% FS and repeatability was +/- 0.78% FS. VUF202 resolution was 24 ml/s. The rise time for VUF202 was 18 ms, and the -3-dB point was 18 Hz; digital compensation provided a flat frequency response to 32 Hz. VUF202 gain appeared to be stable over a period of 8 days. Density channel output (PUF202) was linear over a range of 1.11–1.23 g/l (R2 > or = 0.9645). PUF202 accuracy was calculated to be +/- 0.50% FS, and PUF202 repeatability was determined to be +/- 0.30% FS. Resistance of the flowhead was determined to be 0.013 cmH2O.l–1.s at a flow of 40 l/s. On the basis of this study, we conclude that UF202 should facilitate accurate measurement of breath-by-breath airflow of exercising horses.
Effect of transpulmonary pressure on airway closure in immature and mature rabbits
Authors: Tepper R. S. , Gunst S. J. , Doerschuk C. M. , Shen X. , Bray W.
Published: December 2017

The transpulmonary pressures (Ptp values) at which airway closure occurred during maximal stimulation with methacholine were compared in 10 mature and 9 immature rabbit lungs by using an alveolar capsule technique to assess airway closure. After maximal constriction, airway opening and alveolar capsule pressures were recorded during small volume oscillations as Ptp was lowered from 12 to 4 cmH2O. At each Ptp, the proportion of alveolar capsules indicating airway closure was greater for the immature than for the mature lungs (P < 0.025). At Ptp of 4 cmH2O, only 20% of alveolar capsules indicated airway closure in the mature lungs in contrast to 85% indicating closure in the immature lungs (P < 0.001). The in vitro sensitivity of tracheal smooth muscle to acetylcholine and histamine was greater in tissues from immature than from mature rabbits. We conclude that the more frequent airway closure observed in immature rabbits could reflect maturational differences in the structure of the bronchi or lung parenchyma or differences in the coupling between the parenchyma and the airways.
Antiasthmatic effects of a leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitor (MK-0591) in allergic dogs
Authors: Becker A. B. , Black C. , Lilley M. K. , Bajwa K. , Ford-Hutchinson A. W. , Simons F. E. , Tagari P.
Published: December 2017

Peptidoleukotrienes may be important mediators of human bronchial asthma. Accordingly, the effects of a selective leukotriene (LT) biosynthesis inhibitor (MK-0591) were assessed in allergic dogs characterized by acute bronchoconstriction and subsequent airway hyperresponsiveness induced by inhaled ragweed allergen. Peak acute increases in airway resistance (Rrs) induced by ragweed were associated with increased bronchoalveolar lavage histamine concentration, and neither parameter was inhibited by MK-0591 (8 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 i.v.). However, the duration of the bronchoconstriction was significantly decreased by MK-0591, with a reduction in the area under the curve of 40% (P < 0.05). Associated with the acute bronchoconstriction in placebo-treated animals was a fivefold increase in urinary LTE4 excretion (as seen with allergic asthmatic patients), which was reduced to < 10% of basal values by MK-0591. Similarly, whole blood LTB4 biosynthesis was abolished in the MK-0591-treated animals. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness preallergen (measured as the percent concentration of acetylecholine required to increase Rrs by 5 cmH2O.l–1.s) tended to improve with MK-0591 (0.41 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.23 +/- 0.05%). Five hours after allergen inhalation, the percent concentration declined substantially in the placebo group (0.07 +/- 0.02%; P < 0.01), revealing an increased airway responsiveness that was significantly blunted by MK-0591 (0.26 +/- 0.07%; P < 0.001). These data suggest that selective inhibition of LT biosynthesis by novel compounds such as MK-0591 may modify the airway changes associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, as well as offer symptomatic relief in asthma.
Effect of oral creatine supplementation on power output and fatigue during bicycle ergometry
Authors: Cooke W. H. , Grandjean P. W. , Barnes W. S.
Published: December 2017

Our purpose was to determine the effect of oral creatine supplementation on exercise performance during high-intensity short-duration bicycle sprinting. Power output was recorded for 12 healthy untrained males (age 24.08 +/- 0.53 yr, weight 81.22 +/- 1.32 kg) before and after 5 days of creatine (n = 6) or placebo (n = 6) supplementation. A double-blind research design was employed. Subjects performed maximal sprints against a constant load (111.8 N) for 15 s. Each one-half pedal revolution was magnetically counted, and subsequent measurements of peak power, time to peak power, total work, and the fatigue index were digitized and stored on disk. Mean values for peak power, time to peak power, total work, and fatigue index were 958.01 +/- 40.66 W, 4.09 +/- 0.82 s, 11.28 +/- 0.46 kJ, and 32.1 +/- 1.58% decline from peak power, respectively. No significant differences were observed within or between groups before or after supplementation for any of the mechanical parameters measured (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that oral creatine supplementation does not positively affect power output or fatigue during continuous high-intensity bicycle exercise in untrained men.
Effects of endotoxin on isolated porcine liver: pressure-flow analysis
Authors: Brienza N. , Ayuse T. , Revelly J. P. , O'Donnell C. P. , Robotham J. L.
Published: December 2017

The peripheral vascular response to sepsis is characterized by a vasodilatation of the systemic arterial vessels. Pulmonary hypertension with an increase in resistance and back pressure to flow defined by pressure-flow (P-Q) relationships has been reported in experimental sepsis. We hypothesized that endotoxin can induce differential alterations in resistance and back pressure to flow in the liver venous and arterial beds. Ninety minutes after endotoxin administration in intact anesthetized pigs (n = 8), the liver was vascularly isolated and perfused. Steady-state P-Q relationships in both the portal vein (PV) and hepatic artery (HA) were generated at multiple outflow pressures (Pout; 0, 5, 10, and 15 mmHg) and compared with those obtained in control livers (n = 6). Extrapolated zero-flow pressure intercepts (Pback) and slopes of the P-Q relationships were obtained by least squares linear regression analysis. Endotoxemia increased PV Pback (P < 0.05), and Pback always exceeded Pout (P < 0.05) when the latter was raised. In contrast, in controls, no difference was observed between Pback and Pout when the latter was raised. Endotoxemia also increased the PV slope compared with control. Raising Pout from 0 to 15 mmHg decreased PV slope in the endotoxin group to a greater degree than in controls (P < 0.05). In the HA, endotoxin caused a decrease in slope but did not alter Pback. The simultaneous increase in the PV Pback and slope that occurs with endotoxemia decreases splanchnic venous return, pooling blood in the splanchnic compartment for a given total blood volume.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electrochemical detection of rapid DA release kinetics during hypoxia in perfused-superfused cat CB
Authors: Buerk D. G. , Lahiri S. , Chugh D. , Mokashi A.
Published: December 2017

The hypothesis that hypoxic excitation is coupled to dopamine (DA) secretion was tested in perfused-superfused cat carotid bodies (CB). DA was electrochemically detected by an amperometric method (constant applied potential +150 mV) with Nafion polymer-coated recessed gold microsensors (tip diameter 3–8 microns) in 10 cat CBs. Neural discharge (ND) from the whole sinus nerve was measured simultaneously with DA changes during interruption of perfusate flow and during hypoxic perfusion (5% O2). A computer-controlled instrument using a chronoamperometric technique (+550-mV pulses) with a Nafion-coated carbon fiber microelectrode (tip diameter 35 microns) was used to detect DA changes in two CBs during similar hypoxic stimuli. Rapid DA release kinetics were measured during flow interruption with an initial rate of 1.05 +/- 0.15 (SE) microM/s within the first 10–15 s. At most measurement sites, the increase in DA preceded the rise in ND. After the initial increase, DA release slowed to 0.16 +/- 0.02 microM/s, reaching a maximum DA concentration of 20.7 +/- 2.6 microM above baseline after 90 s of flow interruption. Nicotine (10-micrograms bolus) caused a large increase in ND without a proportional increase in DA release. Spatially detailed time-resolved electrochemical measurements were able to discriminate between DA release during hypoxia and chemoexcitatory responses that do not involve DA release.
Short-term immobilization has a minimal effect on the strength and fatigability of a human hand muscle
Authors: Fuglevand A. J. , Bilodeau M. , Enoka R. M.
Published: December 2017

The purpose of this study was to determine the association between reduced fatigability typically observed in disused muscle and an improved resistance to the impairment of neuromuscular propagation. Endurance time of an isometric contraction sustained at 35% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) force and the fatigue-induced change in the evoked compound muscle action potential (M wave) were measured in the first dorsal interosseus muscle of human subjects before, during, and after 3 (n = 9) or 5 wk (n = 2) of immobilization. The immobilization procedure caused a substantial decline in the chronic electromyographic (EMG) activity (to 4% of control value) of the first dorsal interosseus muscle. Endurance time was found to be significantly correlated to the maintenance of M-wave amplitude during the fatigue task. However, neither of these variables was significantly affected by immobilization. Also, immobilization had no significant effect on the prefatigue values of MVC force and EMG or twitch contraction time or on the postfatigue changes in MVC force and EMG, M wave duration, twitch amplitude, and contraction time. In the unfatigued muscle, immobilization did cause an increase in twitch force (153%) and a decrease in M-wave amplitude (67%). It appears, therefore, that a healthy first dorsal interosseus muscle is generally resistant to adaptation when its use has been reduced for 3–5 wk by immobilization.
Plasma glucose turnover during cold stress in humans
Authors: Vallerand A. L. , Zamecnik J. , Jacobs I.
Published: December 2017

To clarify the source of increased carbohydrate oxidation during cold stress, six males rested for 3 h at 29 and 10 degrees C dressed only in shorts. After priming the blood glucose and bicarbonate pools, [U-13C6]glucose was infused for 3 h in each condition to determine the plasma glucose rate of appearance (Ra) or turnover under relative steady-state conditions. Plasma enrichment (mol %excess) was determined by selective ion-monitoring gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Cold exposure decreased rectal temperature and mean skin temperature and increased heat debt, metabolic rate, and whole body lipid and carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) compared with the same subjects at thermal neutrality (P < 0.05). Cold exposure significantly increased Ra from 13.18 +/- 0.70 to 16.22 +/- 0.43 mumol.kg-1.min-1 (P < 0.05). Plasma glucose clearance was elevated commensurately by the cold (from 2.68 +/- 0.16 to 3.55 +/- 0.14 ml.kg-1.min-1; P < 0.05). If we assume that Ra is completely oxidized (thus equivalent to maximum rates of plasma glucose oxidation) [J. A. Romijn, E. F. Coyle, L. S. Sidossis, A. Gastaldelli, J. F. Horowitz, E. Endert, and R. R. Wolfe. Am. J. Physiol. 265 (Endocrinol. Metab. 28): E380-E391, 1993], the minimum rates of glycogen and lactate oxidation in the cold would be the difference between CHOox and glucose oxidation (approximately 14.0 +/- 3.0 mumol.kg-1.min-1). Therefore, under the present laboratory conditions, 54% of CHOox would be fueled by plasma glucose oxidation, whereas the remaining 46% would be derived from the combination of glycogen and lactate oxidation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
HOCl effects on tracheal epithelium: conductance and permeability measurements
Authors: Guo Y. , Schneider L. A. , Wangensteen O. D.
Published: December 2017

It is speculated that hypochlorous acid (HOCl), produced by neutrophils, can disrupt the tracheal epithelial barrier without damage to epithelial cells. This was investigated with solute permeability (P) and electrical conductance (G) measurements on tracheae from 4-wk-old rabbits. A new system for epithelial bioelectric measurements on intact tracheae was developed and validated. Control values of G, short-circuit current, and spontaneous potential difference were 4.9 +/- 0.5 (SE) mS/cm2, 42.6 +/- 4.7 microA/cm2, and 8.9 +/- 1.0 mV (lumen negative), respectively (n = 5). Control P values for sucrose, inulin, and Dextran-20 were 5.14 +/- 0.48, 0.63 +/- 0.10, and 0.057 +/- 0.007 x 10(-7) cm/s, respectively (n = 6). Tracheae treated with HOCl had no effect; 6 mM HOCl, a concentration that could exist in infected airways, significantly increased both P and G (about two- to fourfold) without damage to epithelial cells; and 12 and 30 mM HOCl caused more than 10-fold increases for both P and G with cell disruption. Vitamin C blocked epithelial damage caused by 30 mM HOCl. Tracheae from 1-wk-old rabbits were significantly more sensitive to HOCl than those from 4-wk-old or adult rabbits. This study validated a new bioelectric measurement system and showed that HOCl has both dose- and age-dependent effects on the tracheal epithelium.
Ventilatory responses to repeated short hypercapnic challenges
Authors: Gozal D. , Ben-Ari J. H. , Harper R. M. , Keens T. G.
Published: December 2017

In early phases of respiratory disease, patients are more likely to experience intermittent hypercapnia than a continuous increase in PCO2. The effect of intermittent arterial PCO2 elevation on subsequent breathing patterns is unclear. To examine this issue, a series of six ventilatory challenges (CH1-CH6), consisting of 2 min of breathing 5% CO2 in O2, followed by 5 min in room air (RA) were performed in 10 naive healthy subjects (age 12–39 yr). Minute ventilation (VE) increased from 11.9 +/- 1.0 (SE) l/min in RA to 27.6 +/- 3.0 l/min in 5% CO2 (P < 0.0005) in each of the six hypercapnic challenges. Respiratory rate increased from 21.3 +/- 2.6 breaths/min on RA to 29.6 +/- 3.9 breaths/min during CH1 (P < 0.05). However, respiratory rate consistently decreased with successive CO2 challenges (CH6: 21.5 +/- 2.6 breaths/min; P < 0.02). Thus, maintenance of VE was achieved by gradual increases in tidal volume with each of the first four consecutive CO2 challenges (CH1: 1.05 +/- 0.09 liters; CH4: 1.44 +/- 0.13 liters; P < 0.002). Similarly, the ratio of tidal volume to inspiratory time increased from CH1 (1.16 +/- 0.16 l/s) to CH6 (1.57 +/- 0.21 l/s; P < 0.001). These changes in ventilatory strategy were not observed when RA recovery periods were extended to 15 min in five subjects. We conclude that during repeated short hypercapnic challenges similar levels of VE are achieved. However, increased mean inspiratory flows are generated to maintain VE. We speculate that intermittent hypercapnia either modifies central controller gain or induces a long-term modulatory effect to account for the progressive changes in ventilatory components.
Pressure-induced regulation of myosin expression in rodent heart
Authors: Haddad F. , Bodell P. W. , Baldwin K. M.
Published: December 2017

A study was undertaken to determine how variations in chronic pressure overload imposed on the left ventricle (LV) regulate both its mass and the relative level of expression of the slow beta-myosin heavy chain (MHC) in rodents. Systemic mean arterial pressure was varied by the following interventions: 1) abdominal aortic constriction (AbCon), 2) unilateral nephrectomy coupled with salt and deoxycorticoacetate treatment (Nx-D), and 3) treatment with the angiotensin II-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril (50 mg.kg-1.day-1) in combination with the other interventions. Results showed that both AbCon and Nx-D induced significant elevations in both beta-MHC protein and mRNA expression relative to the control state. beta-MHC expression (protein and mRNA) strongly correlated with blood pressure as well as LV mass over a wide range. Although captopril treatment significantly reversed the elevations in mean arterial pressure, LV mass, and beta-MHC content in the AbCon group, it had very little effect on these variables in the Nx-D group. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the expression of beta-MHC in the rodent heart is strongly dependent on the arterial pressure imposed on LV. Although the underlying mechanisms have not been elucidated fully as to how alterations in blood pressure are translated to the regulation of the beta-MHC gene expression, these findings suggest that the renin-angiotensin system is not an obligatory factor for inducing cardiac hypertrophy or beta-MHC expression in some models of hypertension.
Activity-wheel running attenuates suppression of natural killer cell activity after footshock
Authors: Dishman R. K. , Warren J. M. , Youngstedt S. D. , Yoo H. , Bunnell B. N. , Mougey E. H. , Meyerhoff J. L. , Jaso-Friedmann L. , Evans D. L.
Published: December 2017

We studied whether voluntary running in an activity wheel moderates splenic natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity after footshock. Young (50-day) male Fischer 344 rats were randomly assigned to 1) sedentary (n = 16) or 2) activity-wheel (n = 16) groups that each received controllable or uncontrollable footshock on 2 consecutive days or 3) a sedentary home-cage control group (n = 8). Spleens and trunk blood were collected 30 min after the second footshock session. Cytotoxicity was determined by a standard 4-h 51Cr release assay. Percentages of OX6+ (B), OX8+ [T suppressor/cytotoxic (Ts/c)], W3/25+ (T helper), Thy-1.1 (Pan T cell marker), and 5C6+ (NK) cells were determined by flow cytometry. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, and prolactin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay as modulators of NK activity. Percentage of specific lysis after footshock was approximately 52% of control values for sedentary animals compared with approximately 96% of control values for activity-wheel animals. The groups did not differ in percentages of NK or Ts/c cells. We conclude that voluntary activity-wheel running protects against the suppression of splenic NK activity induced by footshock. This protective effect of wheel running is not explained by an elevation in baseline NK activity; increased percentages of splenic NK or Ts/c cells; or plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, corticosterone, and prolactin.
IL-1 beta and IL-6 induce hyperplasia and hypertrophy of cultured guinea pig airway smooth muscle cells
Authors: De S. , Zelazny E. T. , Souhrada J. F. , Souhrada M.
Published: December 2017

Guinea pig airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells were maintained in a primary tissue culture (passages 1–3). Cells were exposed to human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta; 20–100 pg/ml) or interleukin-6 (IL-6; 1–4 ng/ml) in the presence of indomethacin (1 microgram/ml) for up to 5 days. Proliferation of ASM cells was assessed with two techniques, direct counting of cells with a hemacytometer and [3H]thymidine incorporation corrected for total protein content. Hypertrophy of ASM cells was assessed by [3H]leucine incorporation (evaluation of protein synthesis), determination of total DNA content, DNA content per cell, and protein content per cell. We observed that the exposure of ASM cells to human recombinant IL-1 beta or IL-6, in all studied concentrations, significantly increased the number of cells as well as [3H]thymidine incorporation into ASM cells. We also found that exposure of ASM to these two cytokines increased [3H]leucine incorporation into the ASM cells and increased protein content and DNA content per single cell. These changes were also concentration dependent. We conclude that the two proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1 beta and IL-6, which are present in asthmatic lungs, increased the proliferation of ASM cells (hyperplasia) as well as their overall size and size of their nuclei, as measured by biochemical markers. These findings are compatible with the presence of ASM hypertrophy.
Aerosol deposition and dispersion characterize lung injury in a canine model of emphysema
Authors: Rosenthal F. S.
Published: December 2017

The deposition and dispersion of inhaled aerosol boluses were investigated as markers of lung injury in three dogs before and after emphysema was induced by papain exposure. After the experiments, lung damage was assessed histologically. Four unexposed dogs were used as controls. Effective air space diameter (EAD) was determined from aerosol deposition during a 5-s breath hold. Nonuniform ventilation was assessed from the spreading of the expired bolus, quantified as a coefficient of dispersion (CD), and from expired bolus skewness (SK). Experiments were done with a range of bolus penetrations and ventilatory flow rates. After papain exposure, EAD measured with the most penetrating boluses increased an average of 89% (P < 0.0001); CD and SK measured with boluses of medium penetration and a flow rate of 0.5 l/s increased an average of 24% (P < 0.02) and 98% (P < 0.002), respectively. The effects of lung injury on CD and SK increased with flow rate. Lung injury was confirmed by changes in lung mechanics and by histology. EAD measured with deeply penetrating boluses correlated significantly with the mean chord length measured morphometrically (P < 0.05). No correlation was found with more shallow boluses. The results indicate that EAD, CD, and SK are sensitive markers of lung injury in experimental emphysema and that EAD is a specific marker of increased air space size.
Circadian rhythm of cortisol confounds cortisol responses to exercise: implications for future research
Authors: Thuma J. R. , Gilders R. , Verdun M. , Loucks A. B.
Published: December 2017

To investigate whether measurements of cortisol responses to exercise are confounded by neglect of the hormone's circadian rhythm, we measured the serum and salivary cortisol responses of eight women to 40 min of 70% maximal oxygen consumption treadmill exercise beginning at 0800 and 2000. Responses were calculated relative to the usually employed preexercise concentrations and also to concentrations at the same times of another day while subjects were at rest. Compared with areas under response curves (AUCs) calculated relative to their circadian baselines, AUCs for serum and salivary cortisol calculated by reference to preexercise concentrations were underestimated (serum, P < 0.001; salivary, P < 0.01) by 93 and 84% in the morning and by 37 and 35% in the evening, respectively. Calculated by the usual preexercise baseline method, rises in serum and salivary cortisol were similarly underestimated. More accurately calculated relative to their circadian baselines, serum and salivary cortisol AUCs were similar (P = 0.63 and P = 0.37, respectively) in the morning and evening, as were their rises (P = 0.23 and P = 0.70, respectively). In future investigations of the existence and magnitude of cortisol responses, those responses must be calculated relative to the hormone's circadian baseline.
Metabolic end products inhibit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ release and [3H]ryanodine binding
Authors: Favero T. G. , Zable A. C. , Bowman M. B. , Thompson A. , Abramson J. J.
Published: December 2017

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ release channel function is modified by ligands (Mg2+, Ca2+, ATP, and H+) that are generated during a bout of exercise. We have examined the effects of changing intracellular metabolites on Ca2+ release, [3H]ryanodine binding, and single-Ca2+ release channel activity of SR isolated from white rabbit skeletal muscle. Increasing Mg2+ (from 0 to 4 mM) and decreasing pH (7.1–6.5) inhibited SR Ca2+ release and [3H]-ryanodine binding. In addition, increasing lactate concentrations from 2 to 20 mM inhibited [3H]ryanodine binding to SR vesicles, inhibited SR Ca2+ release, and decreased the single-channel open probability. These findings suggest that intracellular modifications that disrupt excitation-contraction coupling and decrease Ca2+ transients will promote a decline in tension development and contribute to muscle fatigue. In addition, we show that hydrogen peroxide induces Ca2+ release and increases [3H]ryanodine binding to its receptor, suggesting that reactive oxygen species produced during exercise may compromise muscle function by altering the normal gating of the SR Ca2+ release channel.
Human fiber size and enzymatic properties after 5 and 11 days of spaceflight
Authors: Edgerton V. R. , Zhou M. Y. , Ohira Y. , Klitgaard H. , Jiang B. , Bell G. , Harris B. , Saltin B. , Gollnick P. D. , Roy R. R. , et al.
Published: December 2017

Biopsies from the vastus lateralis muscle were obtained from three astronauts before and after two 5-day flights and from five astronauts before and after one 11-day flight (space shuttle flights: STS-32, -33, and -34). Muscle fibers from two separate samples from each biopsy were classified as type I and II or as type I, IIA, and IIB by using qualitative myofibrillar adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase) staining. Cross-sectional area (CSA), number of capillaries per fiber, and the activities of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPD), and myofibrillar ATPase were determined from one sample of fibers of each myofibrillar ATPase type. Postflight biopsies had 6–8% fewer type I fibers than preflight. Mean fiber CSAs were 16–36% smaller after the 11-day flight with the relative effect being type IIB > IIA > I. Mean fiber CSAs were 11 and 24% smaller in type I and II fibers after 5 days of flight. Myofibrillar ATPase activities increased in type II but not in type I fibers after flight, whereas SDH activity was unaffected in either fast or slow fibers. GPD activity in type I fibers was approximately 80% higher (P > 0.05) postflight compared with preflight. Myofibrillar ATPase/SDH ratios in type II fibers were higher after than before flight, suggesting that some fast fibers were more susceptible to fatigue after flight. The GPD/SDH ratios were elevated in some type I fibers after spaceflight. The number of capillaries per fiber was 24% lower after than before flight, whereas the number of capillaries per unit CSA of muscle tissue was unchanged. These data suggest that adaptations in the size, metabolic properties, and vascularity of muscle fibers can occur rapidly in the space environment. These adaptations were qualitatively similar to those observed in animals after actual or simulated spaceflight conditions for short periods.
Effect of hypoxia on intracellular pH of glomus cells cultured from cat and rat carotid bodies
Authors: Mokashi A. , Ray D. , Botre F. , Katayama M. , Osanai S. , Lahiri S.
Published: December 2017

To test the hypothesis that hypoxia may induce cellular acidification during chemotransduction in the carotid body, we compared the effects of hypoxia and of extracellular acidosis on intracellular pH (pHi) of glomus cells cultured from rat and cat carotid bodies. The cells were prepared and cultured for 2–7 days. The plated cells were loaded with a pH-sensitive fluorescent probe, SNARF-1-acetoxymethyl ester, and were placed in a closed chamber and superfused. The effects of lowering PO2 and pH in the superfusion medium containing CO2-HCO3- buffer on the glomus cell pHi were measured at 37 degrees C. The pHi was measured in a single or a few isolated cells with single excitation at 540 nm and dual emission at 590 and 640 nm, after the exposure to different PO2 levels from 132 to 43, 14, and 1–2 Torr for 10–12 min in the closed chamber. The resting pHi values were 7.263 +/- 0.008 for rat and 7.175 +/- 0.004 for cat carotid body glomus cells. For a decrease of PO2 from 132 Torr to 14 Torr, the change in pHi values, on average, for cat and rat glomus cells was 0.034 lower, and with PO2 decrease to 1–2 Torr for the cat glomus cells, the change in pHi values was 0.051 lower. On the other hand, when the perfusate pH values were decreased from 7.4 to 6.9 during normoxia, the reduction of change in pHi values were 0.327 for the rat and 0.397 for the cat. Thus glomus cell pHi change due to low PO2 exposure was not significant and was not commensurate with the large increases in the chemosensory activity.
Physiological determinants of 10-km performance in highly trained female runners of different ages
Authors: Evans S. L. , Davy K. P. , Stevenson E. T. , Seals D. R.
Published: December 2017

Endurance exercise performance declines with age; however, there is little information on the mechanisms responsible, especially in women. We tested the hypothesis that this performance decline in women is associated with decreases in maximal O2 consumption (VO2max), blood lactate threshold (LT), and running economy (RE). We determined a 10-km race pace, VO2max, LT, and RE in 31 highly trained female runners aged 23–56 yr with similar relative (i.e., age-adjusted) competitive performances. Absolute 10-km race pace declined with age (r = -0.83). Both 10-km performance and age were correlated with VO2max (P < 0.05) and with the running velocity and O2 consumption at LT but not with RE. The runners then were divided into three age groups: group I (23–35 yr), group II (37–47 yr), and group III (49-56 yr). Stepwise regression analyses performed on subjects pooled from groups I and II and from groups II and III indicated that the majority (60%) of the variability in performance for runners aged 23–47 yr was explained by the running velocity at which LT occurred, whereas VO2max explained the majority (74%) of the variability for the runners aged 37–56 yr. We conclude that decreases in VO2max and running velocity at LT are the two physiological phenomena most closely associated with declines in 10-km performance with age in highly trained female runners. However, the contributions of these two mechanisms to the declines in performance are not uniform with advancing age.