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Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilatory support (MVS) combined with high oxygen concentrations has a negative impact on diaphragm function. However, the acute effects of MVS with hyperoxia have not been elucidated Objective: To analyze the acute effects of mechanical ventilation with hyperoxia on the morphometry of the rat diaphragm. Methods: An experimental, prospective study was conducted with Wistar rats (weight 400±20 g), which were randomly allocated to two groups. The control group (n=4) was anesthetized, tracheostomized and kept spontaneously breathing room air for 90 minutes. The experimental group (n=5) was also anesthetized, curarized, tracheostomized and kept in controlled mechanical ventilation for the same amount of time. Boll1 groups were submitted to median thoracotomy for sample collection of costal fibers from the diaphragm muscle, which were sectioned every 5 µm and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for the morphometric study Independent Student's t tests were employed to investigate differences between groups, with a significance level of p<0.05. Results: There were no signs of acute muscle lesions, however the blood capillaries became dilated in the experimental group. The mean morphometric data related to the maximum cross-sectional diameter of the diaphragm costal fibers were 61.78±17.79 um and 70.75±9.93 µm (p=0.045) for the control and experimental groups, respectively. Conclusions: Short-term mechanical ventilation with hyperoxia led to significant microvascular and muscle changes which may reflect the onset of an inflammatory process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A combination of Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) at non-psychoactive doses was previously demonstrated to reduce cognitive decline in APP/PS1 mice, an animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the neurobiological substrates underlying these therapeutic properties of Δ 9 -THC and CBD are not fully understood. Considering that dysregulation of glutamatergic activity contributes to cognitive impairment in AD, the present study evaluates the hypothesis that the combination of these two natural cannabinoids might reverse the alterations in glutamate dynamics within the hippocampus of this animal model of AD. Interestingly, our findings reveal that chronic treatment with Δ 9 -THC and CBD, but not with any of them alone, reduces extracellular glutamate levels and the basal excitability of the hippocampus in APP/PS1 mice. These effects are not related to significant changes in the function and structure of glutamate synapses, as no relevant changes in synaptic plasticity, glutamate signaling or in the levels of key components of these synapses were observed in cannabinoid-treated mice. Our data instead indicate that these cannabinoid effects are associated with the control of glutamate uptake and/or to the regulation of the hippocampal network. Taken together, these results support the potential therapeutic properties of combining these natural cannabinoids against the excitotoxicity that occurs in AD brains., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Ester Aso reports financial support was provided by Spain Ministry of Science and Innovation. Jordi Bonaventura reports financial support was provided by Spain Ministry of Science and Innovation. Francisco Ciruela reports financial support was provided by Spain Ministry of Science and Innovation. Xavier Gasull reports financial support was provided by Spain Ministry of Science and Innovation. Francisco Ciruela reports financial support was provided by Departament de Recerca i Universitats de la Generalitat de Catalunya. Ester Aso reports financial support was provided by CYTED-Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abstract: Barbosa, PH, Bueno de Camargo, JB, Jonas de Oliveira, J, Reis Barbosa, CG, Santos da Silva, A, Dos-Santos, JW, Verlengia, R, Barreira, J, Braz, TV, and Lopes, CR. Resistance exercise sessions comprising multijoint vs. single-joint exercises result in similar metabolic and hormonal responses, but distinct levels of muscle damage in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 842-847, 2024-Resistance-type exercise (RE) elicits distinct acute metabolic and hormonal responses, which can be modulated by the manipulation of training variables. The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic (blood lactate and estimated lactic anaerobic system energy expenditure) and hormonal (growth hormone [GH]) responses to RE sessions composed exclusively of multijoint (MULTI) or single-joint (SINGLE) exercises. Assessments of creatine kinase (CK) levels were also performed. In a crossover design, 10 recreationally resistance-trained men (age: 26.9 ± 3.0 years, total body mass: 83.2 ± 13.8 kg; height: 176 ± 7.0 cm; training experience: 5.5 ± 2.4 years) were randomly submitted to both protocols. Blood collections were made pre, 3 minutes after, and 36 hours after each experimental session. No significant difference between MULTI vs. SINGLE was observed for the rises in blood lactate (p = 0.057) and GH (p = 0.285) levels. For CK, a significant difference between the protocols was noted, in which MULTI resulted in significant rises after 3 minutes (p = 0.017) and 36 hours (p = 0.043) compared with SINGLE. In conclusion, the findings of this study suggest that resistance-trained individuals display similar metabolic and hormonal responses when performing MULTI and SINGLE exercise protocols. Also, RE sessions comprising MULTI exercises induce a higher magnitude of muscle damage, which may require a longer recovery period compared with SINGLE., (Copyright © 2023 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training (RT) with inter-set static stretching (IS) versus traditional RT (TRT) on morphofunctional outcomes in recreationally resistance-trained male and female. Methods : Twenty-two recreationally-trained subjects were allocated to IS group (n = 12) or TRT (n = 10) and completed eight weeks of RT. The only difference between the groups was that IS group included static stretching between sets, while the TRT rested between the sets. Ultrasound images, dynamic and isometric strength tests for the elbow flexors and elbow extensors were evaluated pre- and post-intervention period. Results : Total training volume (TTV) was greater in TRT than IS ( p = .031). TRT and IS caused similar increases in maximal dynamic and isometric strength. Fascicle length of the brachialis increased following TRT ( p = .033); muscle thickness and the pennation angle of the distal portion of the triceps brachii increased following IS ( p = .035 and p = .007, respectively). There were no significant changes in thickness and architecture for biceps brachii in either group. There were no significant differences between groups for any muscle strength and morphology outcome. Conclusion : IS negatively affects TTV but does not affect muscle strength and architecture of recreationally resistance-trained male and female.

Increasing evidence implicates astrocytic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive cognitive loss. The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques is a histopathological hallmark of AD and associated with increased astrocyte reactivity. In APP/PS1 mice modelling established AD (9 months), we now show an altered astrocytic morphology and enhanced activity of astrocytic hemichannels, mainly composed by connexin 43 (Cx43). Hemichannel activity in hippocampal astrocytes is also increased in two models of early AD: (1) mice with intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of Aβ 1-42 , and (2) hippocampal slices superfused with Aβ 1-42 peptides. In hippocampal gliosomes of APP/PS1 mice, Cx43 levels were increased, whereas mice administered icv with Aβ 1-42 only displayed increased Cx43 phosphorylation levels. This suggests that hemichannel activity might be differentially modulated throughout AD progression. Additionally, we tested if adenosine A 2A receptor (A 2A R) blockade reversed alterations of astrocytic hemichannel activity and found that the pharmacological blockade or genetic silencing (global and astrocytic) of A 2A R prevented Aβ-induced hemichannel dysregulation in hippocampal slices, although A 2A R genetic silencing increased the activity of astroglial hemichannels in control conditions. In primary cultures of astrocytes, A 2A R-related protective effect was shown to occur through a protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Our results indicate that the dysfunction of hemichannel activity in hippocampal astrocytes is an early event in AD, which is modulated by A 2A R., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Fear learning is essential to survival, but traumatic events may lead to abnormal fear consolidation and overgeneralization, triggering fear responses in safe environments, as occurs in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Adenosine A 2A receptors (A 2A R) control emotional memory and fear conditioning, but it is not known if they affect the consolidation and generalization of fear, which was now investigated. We now report that A 2A R blockade through systemic administration of the A 2A R antagonist SCH58261 immediately after contextual fear conditioning (within the consolidation window), accelerated fear generalization. Conversely, A 2A R activation with CGS21680 decreased fear generalization. Ex vivo electrophysiological recordings of field excitatory post-synaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in CA3-CA1 synapses and of population spikes in the lateral amygdala (LA), showed that the effect of SCH58261 is associated with a reversion of fear conditioning-induced decrease of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) and with increased amplitude of LA LTP in conditioned animals. These data suggest that A 2A R are engaged during contextual fear consolidation, controlling long-term potentiation mechanisms in both DH and LA during fear consolidation, impacting on fear generalization; this supports targeting A 2A R during fear consolidation to control aberrant fear processing in PTSD and other fear-related disorders., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Astrocytes are wired to bidirectionally communicate with neurons namely with synapses, thus shaping synaptic plasticity, which in the hippocampus is considered to underlie learning and memory. Adenosine A 2A receptors (A 2A R) are a potential candidate to modulate this bidirectional communication, since A 2A R regulate synaptic plasticity and memory and also control key astrocytic functions. Nonetheless, little is known about the role of astrocytic A 2A R in synaptic plasticity and hippocampal-dependent memory. Here, we investigated the impact of genetic silencing astrocytic A 2A R on hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory of adult mice. The genetic A 2A R silencing in astrocytes was accomplished by a bilateral injection into the CA1 hippocampal area of a viral construct (AAV5-GFAP-GFP-Cre) that inactivate A 2A R expression in astrocytes of male adult mice carrying "floxed" A 2A R gene, as confirmed by A 2A R binding assays. Astrocytic A 2A R silencing alters astrocytic morphology, typified by an increment of astrocytic arbor complexity, and led to deficits in spatial reference memory and compromised hippocampal synaptic plasticity, typified by a reduction of LTP magnitude and a shift of synaptic long-term depression (LTD) toward LTP. These data indicate that astrocytic A 2A R control astrocytic morphology and influence hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory of adult mice in a manner different from neuronal A 2A R., (© 2023 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study aimed to apply a journey mapping methodology to identify travel considerations and barriers for people with disabilities (PWDs) at each travel stage, from considering a trip through to arriving at the destination for their current modes of transportation, with the objective of understanding and avoiding "pain points" during a transition to autonomous driving systems. Twenty PWDs, including those with physical, visual, aural, cognitive, and combined physical/visual impairments, participated in a semistructured one-on-one interview. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic information, and qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the transcribed interviews and extract themes. Themes were further organized by the modes of transportation used. The top four themes in considering and planning a trip were third-party assistance availability (private vehicle, public transportation, and paratransit), finding an accessible or suitable parking space (private vehicle), access to a service location (public transportation and paratransit), and transportation schedules (public transportation and paratransit). The top four travel barriers to locating, entering, riding, and exiting transportation and arriving at the destination were vehicle ingress/egress (private vehicle and public transportation), concerns about wheelchair securement (public transportation and paratransit), requiring third-party assistance (private vehicle and public transportation), and accessibility to service locations (public transportation). The study suggests that to mitigate travel considerations and barriers for PWDs, vehicle-specific barriers and infrastructure issues should be addressed simultaneously. We anticipate that the findings will provide insights into the design and development of autonomous vehicles, to better accommodate the needs of PWDs., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting Interests The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of amyloid peptides (Aβ) models Alzheimer's disease (AD) in mice, as typified by the onset within 15 days of deficits of memory and of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) that are prevented by the blockade of adenosine A 2A receptors (A 2A R). Since A 2A R overfunction is sufficient to trigger memory deficits, we tested if A 2A R were upregulated in hippocampal synapses before the onset of memory deficits to support the hypothesis that A 2A R overfunction could be a trigger of AD. Six to eight days after Aβ-icv injection, mice displayed no alterations of hippocampal dependent memory; however, they presented an increased excitability of hippocampal synapses, a slight increase in LTP magnitude in Schaffer fiber-CA1 pyramid synapses and an increased density of A 2A R in hippocampal synapses. A 2A R blockade with SCH58261 (50 nM) normalized excitability and LTP in hippocampal slices from mice sacrificed 7-8 days after Aβ-icv injection. Fifteen days after Aβ-icv injection, mice displayed evident deficits of hippocampal-dependent memory deterioration, with reduced hippocampal CA1 LTP but no hyperexcitability and a sustained increase in synaptic A 2A R, which blockade restored LTP magnitude. This shows that the upregulation of synaptic A 2A R precedes the onset of deterioration of memory and of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, supporting the hypothesis that the overfunction of synaptic A 2A R could be a trigger of memory deterioration in AD.

This study assessed associations between changes in the weekly number of sets performed and the percentage change in muscle thickness of the biceps (MT BB ) and triceps (MT TB ) brachii muscles. Through a retrospective analysis, sixty-eight resistance-trained subjects that participated in previous studies had their previous training volumes analyzed and compared to the volume imposed during each individual study. The relationship between variables was determined through Spearman correlation and a k-cluster analysis was performed to subdivide the participants into three groups and classified as:<0%; 0-50%, and >50% increase in the number of sets for both muscle groups. Moderate and weak correlations were observed between the alterations in training volume and changes in MT BB (r s =0.44, p =0.001) and MT TB (r s =0.35, p =0.002), respectively. A significant difference was noted between<0% to >50% for MT BB and MT TB ( p =0.017; p =0.042, respectively), while no significant difference was observed between<0% to 0-50% and 0-50% to >50% (both p >0.05) for both muscle groups. In conclusion, muscle hypertrophy of the upper limbs is only weakly to moderately associated with changes in training volume of trained subjects., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of Interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Inosine has robust neuroprotective effects, but it is unclear if inosine acts as direct ligand of adenosine receptors or if it triggers metabolic effects indirectly modifying the activity of adenosine receptors. We now combined radioligand binding studies with electrophysiological recordings in hippocampal slices to test how inosine controls synaptic transmission and plasticity. Inosine was without effect at 30 μM and decreased field excitatory post-synaptic potentials by 14% and 33% at 100 and 300 μM, respectively. These effects were prevented by the adenosine A 1 receptor antagonist DPCPX. Inosine at 300 (but not 100) μM also decreased the magnitude of long-term potentiation (LTP), an effect prevented by DPCPX and by the adenosine A 2A receptor antagonist SCH58261. Inosine showed low affinity towards human and rat adenosine receptor subtypes with K i values of > 300 µM; only at the human and rat A 1 receptor slightly higher affinities with K i values of around 100 µM were observed. Affinity of inosine at the rat A 3 receptor was higher (K i of 1.37 µM), while it showed no interaction with the human orthologue. Notably, the effects of inosine on synaptic transmission and plasticity were abrogated by adenosine deaminase and by inhibiting equilibrative nucleoside transporters (ENT) with dipyridamole and NBTI. This shows that the impact of inosine on hippocampal synaptic transmission and plasticity is not due to a direct activation of adenosine receptors but is instead due to an indirect modification of the tonic activation of these adenosine receptors through an ENT-mediated modification of the extracellular levels of adenosine., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Adenosine operates a modulation system fine-tuning the efficiency of synaptic transmission and plasticity through A 1 and A 2A receptors (A 1 R, A 2A R), respectively. Supramaximal activation of A 1 R can block hippocampal synaptic transmission, and the tonic engagement of A 1 R-mediated inhibition is increased with increased frequency of nerve stimulation. This is compatible with an activity-dependent increase in extracellular adenosine in hippocampal excitatory synapses, which can reach levels sufficient to block synaptic transmission. We now report that A 2A R activation decreases A 1 R-medated inhibition of synaptic transmission, with particular relevance during high-frequency-induced long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, whereas the A 1 R antagonist DPCPX (50 nM) was devoid of effects on LTP magnitude, the addition of an A 2A R antagonist SCH58261 (50 nM) allowed a facilitatory effect of DPCPX on LTP to be revealed. Additionally, the activation of A 2A R with CGS21680 (30 nM) decreased the potency of the A 1 R agonist CPA (6-60 nM) to inhibit hippocampal synaptic transmission in a manner prevented by SCH58261. These observations show that A 2A R play a key role in dampening A 1 R during high-frequency induction of hippocampal LTP. This provides a new framework for understanding how the powerful adenosine A 1 R-mediated inhibition of excitatory transmission can be controlled to allow the implementation of hippocampal LTP., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interests.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), which predominantly affects women, involves at its onset a metabolic deregulation associated with a synaptic failure. Here, we performed a behavioral, neurophysiological and neurochemical characterization of 9-month-old female APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mice as a model of early AD. These animals showed learning and memory deficits in the Morris water maze, increased thigmotaxis and anxiety-like behavior and showed signs of fear generalization. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC), but not in the CA1 hippocampus or amygdala. This was associated with a decreased density of sirtuin-1 in cerebrocortical synaptosomes and a decreased density of sirtuin-1 and sestrin-2 in total cerebrocortical extracts, without alterations of sirtuin-3 levels or of synaptic markers (syntaxin, synaptophysin, SNAP25, PSD95). However, activation of sirtuin-1 did not affect or recover PFC-LTP deficit in APP/PS1 female mice; instead, inhibition of sirtuin-1 increased PFC-LTP magnitude. It is concluded that mood and memory dysfunction in 9-month-old female APP/PS1 mice is associated with a parallel decrease in synaptic plasticity and in synaptic sirtuin-1 levels in the prefrontal cortex, although sirtiun1 activation failed to restore abnormal cortical plasticity.

Adenosine receptors mainly control synaptic function, and excessive activation of adenosine receptors may worsen the onset of many neurological disorders. Accordingly, the regular intake of moderate doses of caffeine antagonizes adenosine receptors and affords robust neuroprotection. Although caffeine intake alters brain functional connectivity and multi-omics analyses indicate that caffeine intake modifies synaptic and metabolic processes, it is unclear how caffeine intake affects behavior, synaptic plasticity and its modulation by adenosine. We now report that male mice drinking caffeinated water (0.3 g/L) for 2 weeks were behaviorally indistinguishable (locomotion, mood, memory) from control mice (drinking water) and displayed superimposable synaptic plasticity (long-term potentiation) in different brain areas (hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, amygdala). Moreover, there was a general preservation of the efficiency of adenosine A 1 and A 2A receptors to control synaptic transmission and plasticity, although there was a tendency for lower levels of endogenous adenosine ensuring A 1 receptor-mediated inhibition. In spite of similar behavioral and neurophysiological function, caffeine intake increased the energy charge and redox state of cortical synaptosomes. This increased metabolic competence likely involved a putative increase in the glycolytic rate in synapses and a prospective greater astrocyte-synapse lactate shuttling. It was concluded that caffeine intake does not trigger evident alterations of behavior or of synaptic plasticity but increases the metabolic competence of synapses, which might be related with the previously described better ability of animals consuming caffeine to cope with deleterious stimuli triggering brain dysfunction.

The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle strength and thickness. Nineteen resistance-trained men (age: 27.3 ± 5.5 years; height: 178 ± 10 cm; body mass: 83.4 ± 9.7 kg; training experience: 5.9 ± 3.9 years) were allocated to one of the following groups: Beta-alanine (BA) (6.4 g/day of beta-alanine) or Placebo (PLA) (6.4 g/day of maltodextrin). Subjects completed 4 resistance training sessions per week for 8 weeks. The following assessments were performed before and after intervention periods: 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and 60%1RM tests in the bench press (60%1RM BENCH ) and back squat (60%1RM SQUAT ) exercises; muscle thickness assessment of biceps brachialis (MT BB ), triceps brachialis (MT TB ) , and vastus lateralis (MT VL ) by ultrasonography. No significant difference between groups was observed for the absolute increase (pre-post intervention) in the 1RM BENCH (mean difference = 0.8 kg; p = 0.679), 1RM SQUAT (mean difference = 0.1 kg; p = 0.992), MT BB (mean difference = 0.7 mm; p = 0.637), MT TB (mean difference = 1.4 mm; p = 0.282), MT VL (mean difference = 1.6 mm; p = 0.311), 60%1RM BENCH (mean difference = 0.5 repetitions; p = 0.670) and 60%1RM SQUAT (mean difference = 0.7 repetitions; p = 0.690). In conclusion, the 8-week training period induced significant strength and morphological responses. However, the addition of beta-alanine supplementation did not enhance these adaptive outcomes., Competing Interests: The authors declare have not potential conflict of interest in relation to this paper., (Copyright © Biology of Sport 2023.)

Abstract: de Camargo, JBB, Braz, TV, Batista, DR, Germano, MD, Brigatto, FA, and Lopes, CR. Dissociated time course of indirect markers of muscle damage recovery between single-joint and multi-joint exercises in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2089-2093, 2022-This study compared the time course of indirect markers of muscle damage after multi-joint and single-joint exercises. Ten resistance-trained men (years: 26.9 ± 3.0; total body mass: 83.2 ± 13.8 kg; height: 176 ± 7.0 cm; resistance training [RT] experience: 5.5 ± 2.4 years; RT frequency: 5.3 ± 0.7 sessions; relative squat 1 repetition maximum: 1.4 ± 0.3) performed, in a random order, 5 sets of 8 repetition maximum of the back squat (BS) and knee extension (KE) exercises. Rectus femoris muscle thickness (MT RF ), leg circumference (LC), and muscle soreness (MS) were recorded at baseline (pre), 0, 12, 24, and 36 hours after each exercise protocol. There was a significant increase ( p < 0.05) in dependent variables at every time point after both the multi-joint and single-joint exercise sessions. However, MT RF and LC were greater at 0 and 36 hours, and MS was greater at 24 and 36 hours after BS when compared with KE (all p < 0.05). This study shows that resistance-trained individuals can experience significant higher levels of indirect markers of muscle damage when performing a multi-joint lower-limb exercise compared with a single one., (Copyright © 2020 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

The regular practice of resistance training (RT) has been shown to induce relevant increases in both muscle strength and size. In order to maximize these adaptations, the proper manipulation of RT variables is warranted. In this sense, the aim of the present study was to review the available literature that has examined the application of the acute training variables and their influence on strength and morphological adaptations of healthy young adults. The information presented in this study may represent a relevant approach to proper training design. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches may acquire a fundamental understanding of RT-variables and the relevance of their practical application within exercise prescription.

Abstract: Dos Santos, WM, Tavares Junior, AC, Braz, TV, Lopes, CR, Brigatto, FA, and Dos Santos, JW. Resistance-trained individuals can underestimate the intensity of the resistance training session: An analysis among genders, training experience, and exercises. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1506-1510, 2022-Resistance training (RT) promotes improvements in healthy parameters for young to elderly adults and athletes' performance. Strength and muscle mass improvements are dependent on exercise intensity. This study verifies whether 53 healthy young adults underestimate exercise intensity in 3 different exercises, such as bench press (BP), biceps curl (BC), and leg press 45° (LP). Researchers asked the subjects "How much load do you use to perform 10 repetitions in this exercise usually in workout routines?" in each exercise. Individuals warmed up and then performed as many repetitions as possible until they reached the concentric failure. Deviations from data normality were found by using Levene's test; the number of repetitions per exercise within sex was tested by using Friedman's test and Conover's post hoc and Kruskal-Wallis tests to compare the number of repetitions between sex and RT experience. We correlated the number of repetitions and training experience using the Spearman test. The number of repetitions for both groups (male and female) is greater than 8-12 repetitions for BC and LP and BP of the female group, except for men who perform around 8-12 repetitions on BP. Frequency of maximal repetitions reached for 8-12 repetitions for women was 12% for BP, 28% for BC, and 28% for LP. The frequency men reached was 46.5% for BP, 14.3% for BC, and 14.3% for LP. Training experience did not influence the number of repetitions reached. Resistance training practitioners underestimate exercise load (56% of total sample) to be independent of experience. Women underestimate exercise load more than men. Based on the present results, it is possible to state that RT should not be prescribed considering a predefined number of repetitions and a linked percentage of loads, without the guidance for frequent adjustments of loads, according to the exercise performed., (Copyright © 2019 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of distinct resistance training frequencies with equated-volume conditions in morphological and functional adaptations of the patellar tendon. Twenty-seven recreationally resistance-trained subjects (men [n=17] and women [n=10]) (age: 20.8 ± 1.9 years [range 18 to 25 years]; height: 1.73 ± 9.8 cm; total body mass = 73.2 ± 11.7 kg; previous RT experience = 3.3 ± 1.6 years) volunteered to participate in this study. A total of 16 training sessions were performed during the study period. Each subject's leg was randomly allocated to one of the following training protocols: 2 training sessions/week (2x) or 4 training sessions/week (4x). Measurements of tendon cross sectional area (CSA) and length were performed through ultrasound imaging. One repetition maximum test was performed to assess patellar tendon force (PTF) unilaterally. For CSA (2x: Δ= -1.3%; 4x: Δ= -0.9%), and length (2x: Δ= -0.4%; 4x: Δ= 1.2%), no significant differences were observed within or between conditions (all p > 0.05). For PTF, a significant difference was observed between conditions (mean difference = 0.05 [-125 to 224] p= 0.001). In conclusion, the leg extension exercise performed 2 vs 4x/week induces similar patellar tendon morphological responses. However, the increase in force seems to be enhanced by a lower weekly training frequency associated with a longer intervention period.

The purpose of the present study was to assess performance and morphological acute responses to the tri-set (TRI) resistance-training system. In a random order, 18 subjects (years: 30.0 ± 5.6; weight: 81.8 ± 13.4 kg; height: 173 ± 6.2 cm; RT experience: 4.6 ± 1.7 years) performed 3 exercises targeting the pectoralis major muscle in two different experimental conditions: traditional system (TRAD) and TRI. The TRAD protocol referred to the completion of a single exercise set followed by a rest period. For the TRI protocol, one set of each exercise was performed sequentially with a minimal rest interval afforded (< 10 seconds). Both protocols were performed in 3 sets of 10RM. Pectoralis major muscle swelling (PM MS ), volume load (VL), internal training load (ITL) and training efficiency (TE) were calculated and compared between both protocols. Despite the low VL (-19.3%; p < 0.001), larger values of PM MS (104.7%; p < 0.001), ITL (24.3%; p < 0.001) and TE (56.0%; p < 0.001) were observed during TRI compared to TRAD condition. In conclusion, the adoption of a TRI training protocol may induce distinct performance and morphological acute responses compared to TRAD, suggesting that resistance-trained subjects may experience a higher muscle swelling and intensity of effort with short time commitment when performing TRI system.

Background: The present study investigated the mid-term effects of training muscle groups once- versus twice-daily on morphofunctional adaptations in trained men., Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: 1 daily session per muscle group (1S, N.=11), where every muscle group was trained once a day or 2 daily sessions per muscle group (2S, N.=12), where every muscle group was trained twice. Testing was conducted before intervention and after 8 weeks for maximal strength (1RM) and muscular endurance (60%1RM) for bench press and parallel back squat exercises, and muscle thickness (MT) of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, vastus lateralis, anterior quadriceps and pectoralis major., Results: The major findings were as follows: 1) the increase in 1RM back squat was significantly greater in 2S (∆=16.1%) compared to 1S (∆=7.8%) (P<0.05); 2) both groups significantly increased bench press 1RM (1S: ∆=4.6%; 2S: ∆=6.8%), back squat 60% 1RM (1S: ∆=19.0%; 2S: ∆=24.3%), bench press 60% 1RM (1S: ∆=15.4%; 2S: ∆=24.0%) and all MT outcomes (P<0.05 for all), with no differences between experimental groups (1S and 2S)., Conclusions: This study provides evidence that a twice-daily resistance training augments lower-body muscular strength; however, the daily frequency does not seem to have any additive effect on upper-body muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscle hypertrophy in trained men.

Amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) accumulate in the brain since early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dysregulate hippocampal synaptic plasticity, the neurophysiological basis of memory. Although the relationship between long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory processes is well established, there is also evidence that long-term depression (LTD) may be crucial for learning and memory. Alterations in synaptic plasticity, namely in LTP, can be due to communication failures between astrocytes and neurons; however, little is known about astrocytes' ability to control hippocampal LTD, particularly in AD-like conditions. We now aimed to test the involvement of astrocytes in changes of hippocampal LTP and LTD triggered by Aβ 1-42 , taking advantage of L-α-aminoadipate (L-AA), a gliotoxin that blunts astrocytic function. The effects of Aβ 1-42 exposure were tested in two different experimental paradigms: ex vivo (hippocampal slices superfusion) and in vivo (intracerebroventricular injection), which were previously validated to impair memory and hippocampal synaptic plasticity, two features of early AD. Blunting astrocytic function with L-AA reduced LTP and LTD amplitude in hippocampal slices from control mice, but the effect on LTD was less evident, suggesting that astrocytes have a greater influence on LTP than on LTD under non-pathological conditions. However, under AD conditions, blunting astrocytes did not consistently alter the reduction of LTP magnitude, but reverted the LTD-to-LTP shift caused by both ex vivo and in vivo Aβ 1-42 exposure. This shows that astrocytes were responsible for the hippocampal LTD-to-LTP shift observed in early AD conditions, reinforcing the interest of strategies targeting astrocytes to restore memory and synaptic plasticity deficits present in early AD., (© 2022 International Society for Neurochemistry.)

The adoption of resistance training (RT) programs has been shown to positively influence sports performance-related parameters. However, the chronic effects of maximal strength protocols on the performance of soccer players are not completely investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of performing two repetition maximum (2RM) before a resistance training session on the physical performance of youth soccer players. Seventeen players (under-20 category) were allocated in one of the following groups: 2RM + resistance training group (2RM + RT, n = 8) and resistance training group (RTG, n = 9). Both groups performed the same RT protocol during experimental weeks. However, the 2RM + RT performed 1 set of 2RM for 4 exercises, previously to RT protocol. Pre and post intervention period, one repetition maximum of the back squat exercise (1RM SQUAT ), sprint time (15m-sprint test), countermovement jump (CMJ), repeated sprint ability (RSA BEST and RSA MEAN ), and yo-yo intermittent recovery test level-2 (YYIRT2) were assessed. Total load lifted (TLL) during the experimental weeks was also collected. Significant increases in 1RM SQUAT (2RM + RT: +45.1%, d = 4.40; RTG: +32.3%, d = 1.84), 15m sprint (2RM + RT: -9.0%, d = 7.9; RTG: -8.8%%, d = 3.2), CMJ (2RM + RT: +2.3%, d = 0.17; RTG: +0.8%, d = 0.07), RSA BEST (2RM + RT: -2.4%, d = 0.6; RTG: -2.3%, d = 1.04), RSA MEAN (2RM + RT: -2.9%, d = 1.33; RTG: -3.4%, d = 1.78), YYIRT2 (2RM + RT: +12.0%, d = 0.82; RTG: +12.1%, d = 0.63) (all p < 0,05) were observed for both groups on pre to post-intervention periods, with no significant difference between groups. Therefore, the 2RM + RT protocol did not promote additional increase on performance of young soccer players.

Background: The Atlantic Forest is one of the most threatened biomes in the world. Despite that, this biome still includes many areas that are poorly known floristically, including several protected areas, such as the "Floresta Nacional do Rio Preto" ("Flona do Rio Preto"), located in the Brazilian State of Espírito Santo. This study used a published vascular plant species list for this protected area from the "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil" as the basis to synthesise the species richness, endemism, conservation and new species occurrences found in the "Flona do Rio Preto"., New Information: The published list of vascular plants was based on field expeditions conducted between 2018 and 2020 and data obtained from herbarium collections available in online databases. Overall, 722 species were documented for the "Flona do Rio Preto", 711 of which are native to Brazil and 349 are endemic to the Atlantic Forest. In addition, 60 species are geographically disjunct between the Atlantic and the Amazon Forests. Most of the documented species are woody and more than 50% of these are trees. Twenty-three species are threatened (CR, EN and VU), while five are Data Deficient (DD). Thirty-two species are new records for the State of Espírito Santo. Our results expand the knowledge of the flora of the Atlantic Forest and provide support for the development of new conservation policies for this protected area., (Anderson Alves-Araújo, Marina M Moreira, Tatiana T Carrijo, Lúcia G Lohmann, Adriana Q Lobão, Alana F Scheidegger, Aline D Firmino, Aline Vieira de Melo Silva, Álvaro Nepomuceno, Amélia C Tuler, André MA Amorim, André LC Moreira, Braz AP Cosenza, Brenno G Sossai, Christian Silva, Claudia R Lopes, Daniele Monteiro, Dayvid R Couto, Duane F Lima, Eduardo C Dalcin, Eliana Ramos, Elton J Lírio, Fatima Salimena, Felipe Alves de Oliveira, Fernanda RM Fraga, Filipe Torres-Leite, Guilherme M Antar, Gustavo H Shimizu, Haroldo C Lima, Herison Medeiros, Jaquelini Luber, Jheniffer A Christ, João Lanna, João Paulo F Zorzanelli, Joelcio Freitas, José FB Pastore, José IM Melo, Juliana Paula-Souza, Juliana RPM Oliveira, Leandro C Pederneiras, Leandro Freitas, Leandro L Giacomin, Leonardo D Meireles, Luis AE Silva, Luiz JS Pinto, Luiz Menini Neto, Marcelo Trovó, Mário L Garbin, Marli P Morim, Michel Ribeiro, Nelson TL Pena, Paulo H Labiak, Pedro H Cardoso, Pedro L Viana, Pedro LR Moraes, Quélita S Moraes, Raquel F Zorzanelli, Renara N Amaral, Renata C Asprino, Renato Goldenberg, Ricardo Magnago, Ricardo S Couto, Sandrine C Dutra, Saúl E Hoyos-Gómez, Tamara AF Vieira, Thiago B Flores, Valquíria F Dutra, Víctor S Miranda, Vitor C Manhães, Rafaela C Forzza.)

The present study investigated acute muscular performance and metabolic responses to resistance training (RT) with inter-set stretching (ISS). Seventeen resistance-trained men (age: 30.0 ± 5.6 years; body mass: 81.8 ± 13.4 kg; height: 173 ± 6.2 cm; RT experience: 4.6 ± 1.7 years) completed the ISS and traditional training (TT) protocol seven days apart in a randomized order. In both protocols, 7 sets of the seated cable fly exercise were performed with a 10-repetition maximum (10-RM) load. During the ISS protocol, subjects completed inter-set passive static stretching of the agonist muscles for 45 seconds, while a passive rest (no stretching) was adopted for the same duration in the TT protocol. The change in maximal bench press strength (1-RM), muscle swelling (ultrasound) of the pectoralis major (PM MS ), and blood lactate were assessed immediately following each protocol. Additionally, the total load lifted (TLL) and internal training load (ITL) were assessed in both protocols. There was no difference between protocols for the change in maximal bench press 1-RM ( p > 0.05). There were higher values for PM MS ( p < 0.05) and blood lactate ( p < 0.05) following the TT versus the ISS protocol. The TT resulted in higher TLL ( p < 0.05) and ITL values ( p < 0.05) versus the ISS protocol. Resistance training with inter-set stretching results in lower acute performance and metabolic responses versus traditional training with passive rest between sets. Therefore, inter-set stretching might be applied within a periodized program on lower intensity days to reduce the overall stress of a session.

Abstract: Brigatto, FA, Lima, LEdM, Germano, MD, Aoki, MS, Braz, TV, and Lopes, CR. High resistance-training volume enhances muscle thickness in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 22-30, 2022-This study investigated the effects of different volumes of resistance training (RT) (8 weeks of 16, 24, and 32 weekly sets per muscle group) on muscular strength and hypertrophy. Subjects were pair-matched according to baseline strength and then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 experimental groups: 16 weekly sets per muscle group (G16, n = 9), 24 weekly sets per muscle group (G24, n = 9), or 32 weekly sets per muscle group (G32, n = 9). All other RT variables (e.g., exercise performed, exercise order, weekly frequency, range of repetitions, rest interval between sets and exercises, etc.) were maintained constant. The total load lifted was calculated for every RT session to compare the accumulated external training load among experimental groups across the intervention period. Testing was conducted before intervention (pre) and after 8-week (post-8) periods for maximal voluntary muscle strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM] test for bench press and parallel back squat exercises) and muscle thickness (MT) of the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and vastus lateralis. The major findings were as follows: (a) all RT volumes increased bench press and parallel back squat 1RM and (b) all RT volumes increased the biceps brachii, triceps brachii, and vastus lateralis MT. The magnitude of increase in 1RM and MT of the lower body when training with 32 weekly sets per muscle group was higher than for 16 weekly sets per muscle group. The magnitude of the increase in MTTB was higher when training with 32 weekly sets than for 16 weekly sets., (Copyright © 2019 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Abstract: Germano, MD, Sindorf, MAG, Crisp, AH, Braz, TV, Brigatto, FA, Nunes, AG, Verlengia, R, Moreno, MA, Aoki, MS, and Lopes, CR. Effect of different recoveries during HIIT sessions on metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses and sprint performance in healthy men. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 121-129, 2022-The purpose of this study was to investigate how the type (passive and active) and duration (short and long) recovery between maximum sprints affect blood lactate concentration, O2 consumed, the time spent at high percentages of V̇o2max, and performance. Subjects were randomly assigned to 4 experimental sessions of high-intensity interval training exercise. Each session was performed with a type and duration of the recovery (short passive recovery-2 minutes, long passive recovery [LPR-8 minutes], short active recovery-2 minutes, and long active recovery [LAR-8 minutes]). There were no significant differences in blood lactate concentration between any of the recoveries during the exercise period (p > 0.05). The LAR presented a significantly lower blood lactate value during the postexercise period compared with LPR (p < 0.01). The LPR showed a higher O2 volume consumed in detriment to the active protocols (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in time spent at all percentages of V̇o2max between any of the recovery protocols (p > 0.05). The passive recoveries showed a significantly higher effort time compared with the active recoveries (p < 0.001). Different recovery does not affect blood lactate concentration during exercise. All the recoveries permitted reaching and time spent at high percentages of V̇o2max. Therefore, all the recoveries may be efficient to generate disturbances in the cardiorespiratory system., (Copyright © 2019 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

The recovery manipulation during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may have the potential to modulate the responses of post-exercise energy metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate how the type ( i.e ., passive and active) and duration ( i.e ., short and long) of the recovery between the intervals in HIIT affect the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) and oxidation of fats and carbohydrates during the post-exercise recovery. Eight physically active men performed a maximal incremental test, to determine the peak oxygen consumption (V̇O 2 peak) and the first ventilatory threshold (VT), and four HIIT exercise sessions on a treadmill. The HIIT exercise sessions consisted of 5 intervals interspersed with 4 recovery periods; each interval was sustained until exhaustion, and the intensity was set at the V̇O 2 peak velocity; recoveries were passive, active (VT velocity), short (2-min), or long (8-min). The HIIT exercise sessions were performed in a random and crossed manner. After the HIIT exercise sessions, EPOC and oxidation of fats and carbohydrates were measured during the 120-min of post-exercise recovery. There were no differences in the EPOC among the exercise sessions ( p = 0.56). There were no differences among the exercise sessions in the amount of energy expended on the oxidation of fats ( p = 0.78) and carbohydrates ( p = 0.91) during the post-exercise recovery. The recovery manipulation during HIIT does not affect the EPOC and post-exercise fat and carbohydrate oxidation. One can choose the type and duration of recovery, knowing that the post-exercise substrate oxidation and EPOC responses will be preserved.

The primary purpose of this study is to examine the effect of two different deadlift barbell height positions on maximal isometric force and subsequent maximal squat jump performance in recreationally-trained men. Fifteen young, healthy, recreationally-trained men (age: 24.7 ± 3.5years, height: 177.1 ± 7.9cm, and total body mass: 81.2 ± 9.8kg) volunteered to participate. All participants performed maximal squat jumps (MSJ) at 90° of knee flexion before (pre-test) and after 4-min (post-test) performing the deadlift exercise using maximal isometric force (MIF) and MIF normalized by body mass (ratio MIF ) in two barbell height positions (25% and 75% of the lower limb height, LLH) in a randomized and counterbalanced order. A paired-sample t-test was used to test differences in MIF and ratio MIF between 25% LLH and 75% LLH. Two-way ANOVAs were used for positions (25% LLH and 75% LLH) and time (pre- and post-test) for all dependent variables with an alpha of 5%. Differences were found for MIF and ratio MIF during the deadlift between 25% LLH and 75% LLH ( p < 0.001). There was observed an increase in impulse between pre- and post-test only at 75% LLH ( p < 0.001), decrease in time to peak force between pre- and post-test only at 75% LLH ( p < 0.001), and increase in peak force between pre- and post-test at 75% LLH ( p = 0.029). The present results showed that the maximal isometric deadlift exercise at 75% LLH (midthigh) improves subsequent jump performance of the squat jump recreationally-trained men.

The aim of the present study was to assess the short-term effects of four weeks of beta-alanine supplementation (BA) (6.4 g/day) on the total volume performed and perceived effort of resistance-trained individuals. Sixteen trained men (age: 27.3 ± 5.0 years, height: 1.78 ± 0.1 cm, total body mass: 84.3 ± 8.4 kg, RT experience: 5.9 ± 3.3 years) were allocated in one of the following groups: BA or Placebo (PLA). In addition, during the same period, participants were submitted to a resistance training program. Volume index (VI) and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected during the experimental period for both groups. Significant increases from the first to the last intervention week in VI were observed only for BA (+6.5%, d = 0.61, p = 0.04). In addition, supplementation induced a lower mean RPE (BA: 8.8 ± 0.5 AU vs. PLA: 9.4 ± 0.3 AU, p = 0.02). In conclusion, four weeks of BA supplementation were able to increase resistance-training volume without affecting the perceived effort of trained men.

The aim of the present study was to assess the chronic effects of different order of resistance training cycles on strength and muscle thickness of recreationally resistance-trained men. The study sample was composed of 16 healthy men (age: 25.0 ± 3.8 years, height: 1.77 ± 7.6 cm, total body mass: 81.7 ± 10.4 kg, RT experience: 4.6 ± 0.7 years, relative bench press one repetition maximum: 1.2 ± 0.1, relative squat one-repetition maximum: 1.5 ± 0.2). According to baseline maximal strength, participants were allocated in one of the following groups: Maximal Strength-Strength Endurance (MS-SE) (six weeks of a maximal strength cycle followed by six weeks of a strength endurance cycle); Strength Endurance -Maximal Strength (MS-SE) (six weeks of a strength endurance cycle followed by six weeks of a maximal strength cycle). The following measurements were performed in the pre and post intervention periods: one-repetition maximum (1RM) on parallel back squat and bench press exercises, muscle thickness evaluation of biceps brachialis (MT BB ), triceps brachialis (MT TB ), and vastus lateralis (MT VL ) by ultrasonography. Total load lifted (TLL) and Internal training load (ITL) were also assessed. Both groups presented significant increases in bench press (MS-SE p = 0.001, SE-MS p = 0.003) and half squat (MS-SE p = 0.004, SE-MS p = 0.001) 1RM, MT BB (MS-SE p = 0.020, SE-MS p = 0.005) and MT TB (MS-SE p = 0.001, SE-MS p = 0.001). For MT VL , a significant increase was observed only for MS-SE group (MS-SE p = 0.032, SE-MS p = 0.143). No significant difference between groups was observed for any strength or morphological outcomes. In conclusion, both MS-SE and SE-MS training cycles are effective strategies to enhance resistance training adaptations in trained men.

Previous studies investigated the effects of foam rolling (FR) on measurements of strength and power. However, the acute effect of FR on muscle thickness (MT) and pressure pain threshold (PPT) after multiple sets of resistance exercise remains to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of one and three minutes of quadriceps FR on muscle thickness (vastus lateralis [VL] and rectus femoris [RF]), pain threshold (VL and RF), and total load lifted (TLL) on multiple sets of knee extension. Nine resistance-trained men (age: 24.8 ± 5.2 years; height: 177 ± 7 cm; total body mass 77.7 ± 6.2 kg) participated the study. MT, PPT, and performance on multiple sets of knee extension were compared after performing passive recovery (CON), one minute (FR1), or three minutes of FR (FR3). A similar total training load among experimental conditions was observed. There was a greater increase on VL muscle thickness after FR3 when compared to CON and FR1. In addition, there was an increase on rectus femoris PPT two minutes post FR3, with no differences between conditions. These results indicate that longer duration FR-protocol may acutely increase muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis muscle without negatively affect the TLL and PTT.

Astrocytes, through their numerous processes, establish a bidirectional communication with neurons that is crucial to regulate synaptic plasticity, the purported neurophysiological basis of memory. This evidence contributed to change the classic "neurocentric" view of Alzheimer's disease (AD), being astrocytes increasingly considered a key player in this neurodegenerative disease. AD, the most common form of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by a deterioration of memory and of other cognitive functions. Although, early cognitive deficits have been associated with synaptic loss and dysfunction caused by amyloid-β peptides (Aβ), accumulating evidences support a role of astrocytes in AD. Astrocyte atrophy and reactivity occurring at early and later stages of AD, respectively, involve morphological alterations that translate into functional changes. However, the main signals responsible for astrocytic alterations in AD and their impact on synaptic function remain to be defined. One possible candidate is adenosine, which can be formed upon extracellular catabolism of ATP released by astrocytes. Adenosine can act as a homeostatic modulator and also as a neuromodulator at the synaptic level, through the activation of adenosine receptors, mainly of A 1 R and A 2 A R subtypes. These receptors are also present in astrocytes, being particularly relevant in pathological conditions, to control the morphofunctional responses of astrocytes. Here, we will focus on the role of A 2 A R, since they are particularly associated with neurodegeneration and also with memory processes. Furthermore, A 2 A R levels are increased in the AD brain, namely in astrocytes where they can control key astrocytic functions. Thus, unveiling the role of A 2 A R in astrocytes function might shed light on novel therapeutic strategies for AD., Competing Interests: RC is a scientific advisor of the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC). The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Lopes, Cunha and Agostinho.)

The initial exploration using pharmacological tools of the role of adenosine receptors in the brain, concluded that adenosine released as such acted on A 1 R to inhibit excitability and glutamate release from principal neurons throughout the brain and that adenosine A 2A receptors (A 2A R) were striatal-'specific' receptors controlling dopamine D 2 R. This indicted A 1 R as potential controllers of neurodegeneration and A 2A R of psychiatric conditions. Global knockout of these two receptors questioned the key role of A 1 R and instead identified extra-striatal A 2A R as robust controllers of neurodegeneration. Furthermore, transgenic lines with altered metabolic sources of adenosine revealed a coupling of ATP-derived adenosine to activate A 2A R and a role of A 1 R as a hurdle to initiate neurodegeneration. Additionally, cell-selective knockout of A 2A R unveiled the different roles of A 2A R in different cell types (neurons/astrocytes) in different portions of the striatal circuits (dorsal versus lateral) and in different brain areas (hippocampus/striatum). Finally, a new transgenic mouse line with deletion of all adenosine receptors seems to indicate a major allostatic rather than homeostatic role of adenosine and may allow isolating P2R-mediated responses to unravel their role in the brain, a goal close to heart of Geoffrey Burnstock, to whom we affectionately dedicate this review., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Over one billion people with disabilities (PWDs) and older adults with mobility impairment are currently in need of assistive technology devices (ATDs) and only 10% of those population have ordinarily access to them. The need for advancement in mobility-assistive technology is growing to address the gap in ATDs provision globally. The purpose of this review is to identify potential future areas of development and research in mobility-assistive technology., Method: Publications were identified using scientific and medical electronic databases. Also, a limited grey literature search was conducted to muster a variety of sources. A combination of keyword search terms was used, corresponding to the medical subject heading (MeSH) terms., Results: A total of 392 articles were identified, of which 75 were selected for detailed review. Twenty-eight articles were identified that met the review's inclusion criteria. Future areas of research for mobility-assistive technology were identified by grouping the publications into four main categories. The findings of this review identified several areas of research and development in ATDs in general and mobility-assistive technology, in particular, with special attention to the importance of engaging users and stakeholders in the process of research and design., Conclusions: It is apparent that users' needs and priorities vary between regions within countries. The majority of studies were noted to mainly identify consumers' perspectives on a national basis. The authors, therefore, suggest that further research should be conducted on a global level to determine the knowledge and perspectives concerning future research and development needs and priorities in mobility-assistive technologies.Implication for RehabilitationDespite the benefits derived from the use of ATDs, only 10% of people with disabilities have access to them.Increasing access, quality and affordable ATDs in all countries is global demand.Identifying mobility consumers' needs and priorities would help in enhancing their quality of life by translating research into new technologies that meet their environment and culture needs.Users' involvement in research and design process is a crucial approach to re-shape the future research agenda.

Acute foam rolling protocols may increase range of motion without a negative impact on muscle performance. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of foam rolling on cycling performance (mean power and maximal power), affect and perceived exertion. A secondary aim was to assess the effect of foam rolling on post-exercise muscle soreness. In a random order, ten recreationally trained cyclists (age: 26 ± 5 years; height 1.76 ± 0.06 m; total body mass 78.3 ± 19.8 kg; cycling experience: 5.6 ± 5.3 years; 4.1 ± 1.3 cycling sessions per week and 1.4 ± 1.4 strength sessions per week) were submitted to the following experimental conditions (separated by one week) before performing a three-minute, all-out cycling test: foam rolling or control. During foam rolling protocol, participants were instructed to roll back and forth on one leg and to place the opposite leg crossed over, from the proximal to the distal portion of the rectus femoris and vastus lateralis during one set of sixty seconds for each muscle group. Feeling scale (10 min pre and post-test), CR-10 scale of perceived exertion (ten-minute post-test), pressure pain threshold (pre and 24 h post-test) and mean/maximal power were assessed. No significant differences were observed between conditions for mean and maximal power, affect, perceived exertion, and pressure pain threshold (all p > 0.05). In conclusion, a pre-exercise acute session of self-myofascial release does not improve performance and post-exercise muscle soreness of recreationally trained cyclists.

Depressive conditions precipitated by repeated stress are a major socio-economical burden in Western countries. Previous studies showed that ATP-P 2X7 receptors (P 2X7 R) and adenosine A 2A receptors (A 2A R) antagonists attenuate behavioral modifications upon exposure to repeated stress. Since it is unknown if these two purinergic modulation systems work independently, we now investigated a putative interplay between P 2X7 R and A 2A R. Adult rats exposed to restraint stress for 14 days displayed an anxious (thigmotaxis, elevated plus maze), depressive (anhedonia, increased immobility), and amnesic (modified Y maze, object displacement) profile, together with increased expression of Iba-1 (a marker of microglia "activation") and interleukin-1β (IL1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα; proinflammatory cytokines) and an up-regulation of P 2X7 R (mRNA) and A 2A R (receptor binding) in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. All these features were attenuated by the P 2X7 R-preferring antagonist brilliant blue G (BBG, 45 mg/kg, i.p.) or by caffeine (0.3 g/L, p.o .), which affords neuroprotection through A 2A R blockade. Notably, BBG attenuated A 2A R upregulation and caffeine attenuated P 2X7 R upregulation. In microglial N9 cells, the P 2X7 R agonist BzATP (100 μM) or the A 2A R agonist CGS26180 (100 nM) increased calcium levels, which was abrogated by the P 2X7 R antagonist JNJ47965567 (1 μM) and by the A 2A R antagonist SCH58261 (50 nM), respectively; notably JNJ47965567 prevented the effect of CGS21680 and the effect of BzATP was attenuated by SCH58261 and increased by CGS21680. These results provide the first demonstration of a functional interaction between P 2X7 R and A 2A R controlling microglia reactivity likely involved in behavioral adaptive responses to stress and are illustrative of a cooperation between the two arms of the purinergic system in the control of brain function., Competing Interests: RC is a scientific consultant of the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC). The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Dias, Lopes, Gonçalves, Nunes, Pochmann, Machado, Tomé, Agostinho and Cunha.)

Background: Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of "Parque Nacional do Caparaó" (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states., New Information: "Parque Nacional do Caparaó" houses 8% of the land plant species endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, including 6% of its angiosperms, 31% of its lycophytes and ferns and 14% of its avascular plants. Twelve percent of the threatened species listed for the State of Espírito Santo and 7% listed for the State of Minas Gerais are also protected by PNC. Surprisingly, 79% of the collections analysed here were carried out in Minas Gerais, which represents just 21% of the total extension of the Park. The compiled data uncover a huge botanical collection gap in this federally-protected area., (Marina M Moreira, Tatiana T Carrijo, Anderson G Alves-Araújo, Alessandro Rapini, Alexandre Salino, Aline D Firmino, Aline P Chagas, Ana F A Versiane, André M A Amorim, Andrews V S da Silva, Amélia C Tuler, Ariane L Peixoto, Bethina S Soares, Braz A P Cosenza, Camila N Delgado, Claudia R Lopes, Christian Silva, Daniel E F Barbosa, Daniele Monteiro, Danilo Marques, Dayvid R Couto, Diego R Gonzaga, Eduardo Dalcin, Elton John de Lirio, Fabrício S Meyer, Fátima R G Salimena, Felipe A. Oliveira, Filipe S Souza, Fernando B Matos, Gabriel Depiantti, Guilherme M Antar, Gustavo Heiden, Henrique M Dias, Hian C F Sousa, Isabel T F V Lopes, Isis M Rollim, Jaquelini Luber, Jefferson Prado, Jimi N Nakajima, João Lanna, João Paulo F Zorzanelli, Joelcio Freitas, José F A Baumgratz, Jovani B S Pereira, Juliana R P M Oliveira, Kelly Antunes, Lana S Sylvestre, Leandro C Pederneiras, Leandro Freitas, Leandro L Giacomin, Leonardo D Meireles, Leonardo N Silva, Luciana C Pereira, Luís Alexandre E Silva, Luiz Menini Neto, Marcelo Monge, Marcelo L O Trovó, Marcelo Reginato, Marcos E G Sobral, Mario Gomes, Mário L Garbin, Marli P Morim, Nayara D Soares, Paulo H E Labiak, Pedro L Viana, Pedro H Cardoso, Pedro L R Moraes, Pedro B Schwartsburd, Quélita S Moraes, Raquel F Zorzanelli, Renara Nichio-Amaral, Renato Goldenberg, Samyra G Furtado, Thamara Feletti, Valquíria F Dutra, Vinícius R Bueno, Vinícius A O Dittrich, Rafaela C Forzza.)

The type of exercise is a relevant resistance training-variable that might be manipulated in order to induce significant increases in muscle strength. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of multi-joint vs single-joint resistance exercises on maximal strength. Sixteen resistance-trained men (age: 23.1 ± 4.4 years; body mass: 86.0 ± 12.8; height: 177.9 ± 6.4 cm; training experience: 4.2 ± 3.4 years) performed one of the following training protocols for six weeks: MULTI, consisting of only multi-joint exercises or SINGLE, consisting of only single-joint exercises. Subjects were then submitted to a three-week washout period, before being submitted to the other protocol for another six weeks. A linear periodization model was adopted in which external load was increased and the repetition range was decreased every two weeks. Maximal dynamic strength of bench press (1RM BENCH ) and squat exercises (1RM SQUAT ), a percentage variation of total load lifted (ΔTLL) and internal training load (ITL) were measured. Similar increases in 1RM BENCH (MULTI: 10.8%, p < 0.001; SINGLE: 5.5%, p < 0.001) and 1RM SQUAT (MULTI: 19.7%, p < 0.001; SINGLE: 19.0%, p < 0.001) were observed after the MULTI and SINGLE protocols. A decrease in TLL was detected for both exercise protocols; however, the SINGLE protocol induced a greater decrease, compared to the MULTI protocol (-35 ± 11% vs -42 ± 5%, respectively; p = 0.026). A greater ITL for the MULTI was observed when compared to the SINGLE (12.1%; p < 0.001). In conclusion, resistance training protocols with different exercise modalities seem to produce similar strength increases in resistance-trained men.

Microbes drive the majority of the global carbon cycle. The effect of environmental conditions on selecting microbial functional diversity is well established, and recent studies have revealed the effects of geographic distances on selecting the functional components of marine microbial communities. Our study is the first attempt at establishing the effects of environmental factors on driving the marine carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) distribution. We characterized the diversity of CAZyme genes and investigated the correlations between their distributions and biogeographic parameters (latitude, longitude, distance from the equator, site depth, water depth, chlorophyll density, salinity and temperature). Therefore, we accessed a subset of surface water samples (38 metagenomes) from the Global Ocean Sampling project. Only chlorophyll and latitude altered the distribution patterns of CAZymes, revealing the existence of two latitudinal gradients (positive and negative) of marine CAZyme abundance. Considering the importance of carbohydrates in microbial life, characterization of the spatial patterns of the genetic repertoire involved in carbohydrate metabolism represents an important step in improving our understanding of the metabolic strategies associated with the microbial marine carbon cycle and their effects on the productivity of marine ecosystems., (© 2020 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Brazil is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with about 37,000 species of land plants. Part of this biodiversity is within protected areas. The development of online databases in the last years greatly improved the available biodiversity data. However, the existing databases do not provide information about the protected areas in which individual plant species occur. The lack of such information is a crucial gap for conservation actions. This study aimed to show how the information captured from online databases, cleaned by a protocol and verified by taxonomists allowed us to obtain a comprehensive list of the vascular plant species from the "Parque Nacional do Itatiaia", the first national park founded in Brazil. All existing records in the online database JABOT (15,100 vouchers) were downloaded, resulting in 11,783 vouchers identified at the species level. Overall, we documented 2,316 species belonging to 176 families and 837 genera of vascular plants in the "Parque Nacional do Itatiaia". Considering the whole vascular flora, 2,238 species are native and 78 are non-native., New Information: The "Parque Nacional do Itatiaia" houses 13% of the angiosperm and 37% of the fern species known from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Amongst these species, 82 have been cited as threatened, following IUCN categories (CR, EN or VU), seven are data deficient (DD) and 15 have been classified as a conservation priority, because they are only known from a single specimen collected before 1969., (Marina M Moreira, Tatiana T Carrijo, Anderson Alves-Araújo, André M A Amorim, Alessandro Rapini, Andrews V S da Silva, Braz A P Cosenza, Claudia R Lopes, Camila N Delgado, Cíntia Kameyama, Dayvid R Couto, Daniel E F Barbosa, Daniele Monteiro, Diego R Gonzaga, Eduardo C Dalcin, Elsie F Guimarães, Elton John de Lírio, Fernando B Matos, Fátima R G Salimena, Felipe A Oliveira, Gustavo Heiden, João M Lanna, José Fernando Baumgratz, José F B Pastore, Juliana R P M Oliveira, Laísa B Barcelos, Lana S Sylvestre, Leandro Freitas, Leandro L Giacomin, Leandro Pederneiras, Leonardo D Meireles, Lúcia G Lohmann, Luciana C Pereira, Luis Alexandre E Silva, Luiz M Neto, Marcelo C Souza, Marcelo Trovó, Marcos E G Sobral, Mário Luís Garbin, Mario Gomes, Marli P Morim, Michelle Christine A Mota, Paulo H Labiak, Pedro L Viana, Pedro Luís R de Moraes, Renato Goldenberg, Rubens Luiz G Coelho, Samyra G Furtado, Sebastião José da Silva-Neto, Thiago B Flores, Valquíria F Dutra, Vinícius R Bueno, Rafaela C Forzza.)

Brigatto, FA, Braz, TV, Zanini, TCdC, Germano, MD, Aoki, MS, Schoenfeld, BJ, Marchetti, PH, and Lopes, CR. Effect of resistance training frequency on neuromuscular performance and muscle morphology after 8 weeks in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 33(8): 2104-2116, 2019-The purpose of this study was to investigate the chronic effects of training muscle groups 1 day per week vs. 2 days per week on neuromuscular performance and morphological adaptations in trained men with the number of sets per muscle group equated between conditions. Participants were randomly assigned in 2 experimental groups: 1 session·wk per muscle group (G1, n = 10), where every muscle group was trained once a week with 16 sets or 2 sessions·wk per muscle group (G2, n = 10), where every muscle group was trained twice a week with 8 sets per session. All other variables were held constant over the 8-week study period. No significant difference between conditions for maximal strength in the back squat or bench press, muscle thickness in the elbow extensors, elbow flexors, or quadriceps femoris, and muscle endurance in the back squat and bench press performed at 60% 1 repetition maximum was detected. Effect size favored G2 for some outcome measurements, suggesting the potential of a slight benefit to the higher training frequency. In conclusion, both G1 and G2 significantly enhance neuromuscular adaptations, with a similar change noted between experimental conditions.

Zaroni, RS, Brigatto, FA, Schoenfeld, BJ, Braz, TV, Benvenutti, JC, Germano, MD, Marchetti, PH, Aoki, MS, and Lopes, CR. High resistance-training frequency enhances muscle thickness in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 33(7S): S140-S151, 2019-The purpose of this study was to compare the effect a split training routine with muscle groups trained once per week (SPLIT) vs. whole-body split training routine with muscle groups trained 5 days per week (TOTAL) on neuromuscular adaptations in well-trained men. Eighteen healthy men (height = 177.8 ± 6.6 cm; total body mass = 84.4 ± 8.1 kg; age = 26.4 ± 4.6 years) were recruited to participate in this study. The experimental groups were matched according to baseline strength and then randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 experimental groups: SPLIT (n = 9) or TOTAL (n = 9). Prestudy and poststudy testing included 1RM for bench press, parallel back-squat and machine close-grip seated row, as well as an ultrasound analysis of the muscle thickness (MT) of the elbow flexors, triceps brachii, and vastus lateralis. After 8 weeks of training, no significant difference between groups was noted for all 1RM tests (p > 0.05). TOTAL induced a significantly greater increase in MT of the forearm flexors and vastus lateralis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, muscle strength increment is similar regardless of the experimental conditions studied; however, TOTAL may confer a potentially superior hypertrophic effect.

Background: Trained subjects have difficulty in achieving continued results following years of training, and the manipulation of training variables through advanced resistance training (RT) methods is widely recommended to break through plateaus. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to compare the acute effects of traditional RT (TRT) versus two types of sarcoplasma stimulating training (SST) methods on total training volume (TTV), lactate, and muscle thickness (MT). Methods: Twelve trained males (20.75 ± 2.3 years; 1.76 ± 0.14 meters; body mass = 79.41 ± 4.6 kg; RT experience = 4.1 ± 1.8 years) completed three RT protocols in a randomly sequenced order: TRT, SST contraction type (SST-CT), or SST rest interval variable (SST-RIV) with 7 days between trials in arm curl (elbow flexors) and triceps pulley extension (elbow extensors) performed on the same day. Results: The SST groups displayed greater acute biceps and triceps brachii (TB) MT versus the TRT session, with no difference in lactate levels between them. The SST-CT resulted in greater biceps and TB MT versus the SST-RIV session. The TTV was greater for the TRT session versus the SST sessions, except in the case of the elbow flexors (no difference was observed between TRT and SST-CT), and higher for the SST-CT versus the SST-RIV. Conclusion: Trained subjects may benefit from using the SST method as this method may offer a superior MT stimulus and reduced training time, even with a lower TTV.

Objectives: To describe external training load and internal training load through sets of a single session of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) body work., Methods: Twenty male individuals (24±3 years) performed a HIIT body work protocol consisting of a single bout of exercise with 1:1 stimuli. The exercises used were 30 min in duration with "all-out" intensity. The exercises included jumping jacks, mountain climbers, burpees and squat jumps, totaling 20 min of exercise. During exercise, total movement capacity, blood lactate measurement, ratings of perceived exertion and recovery, training load and intensity were monitored., Results: The single bout examined showed a total of 382±89 movements. Differences (p<0.01) in the total amount of movement for each exercise were noted, reflecting the difficulty of maintaining exercise over time. Increases in lactate concentrations (before: 0.98±0.16, after: 14.10±1.66; mmol/L) were found postexercise. Significant differences (p<0.01) were found after the fifth set, and the values for movement capacity remained higher than the values of the first set, demonstrating high load in a single session. No differences in ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) during the sets were found. However, the ratings of perceived recuperation from the second set were significantly (p<0.01) lower than those from the first set., Conclusions: The exercise protocol used in this study was of high intensity and produced large values for stress during performance, with increases recorded for the internal load indicators.

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is a strategy that has been used to improve performance in different sports modalities. This study investigated the effects of an IMT program on respiratory muscle strength and resistance as well as aerobic physical performance (PP) of handball athletes. Nineteen 20 ± 3 year-old male athletes were allocated into an experimental (EG, n = 10) or a placebo group (PG, n = 9). Their respiratory muscle strength was evaluated by measuring the maximum inspiratory and expiratory pressures (MIP and MEP), muscular respiratory resistance by maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) and aerobic PP by the cardiopulmonary exercise test. The study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 12-week IMT program with five sessions a week. A significant difference was observed in the pre and post IMT values of the MIP (170 ± 34 to 262 ± 33 cmH2O) and MEP (177 ± 36 to 218 ± 37 cmH2O) in the EG, and MIP (173 ± 45 to 213 ± 21 cmH2O) in the PG, with a large effect size for the MIP, when the groups were compared. MVV showed a significant increase (162 ± 24 to 173 ± 30 L) in the EG, with a small effect size. There was a significant difference in maximum oxygen uptake (54 ± 8 to 60 ± 7 ml/kg/min) in aerobic PP. Oxygen uptake at the respiratory compensation point (RCP) (46 ± 6 to 50 ± 5 ml/kg/min), with a moderate effect size for both variables, was observed in the EG after IMT. We concluded that IMT provided a significant increase in respiratory muscle strength and resistance, contributing to increased aerobic PP in the EG, which suggests that IMT could be incorporated in handball players' training.

Background and Purpose: It is important to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of water-based training programs in order to prescribe it as an alternative in cardiac rehabilitation for patients who have coronary artery disease (CAD). In these patients, autonomic dysfunction is an important physiological change strongly associated with adverse outcomes, morbidity, and mortality. Given that the beneficial effects of physical training in CAD patients have been traditionally evidenced with programs involving land-based aerobic exercises, this study aims to evaluate the effects of water aerobic exercise training (WAET) on the autonomic modulation of heart rate (HR) and body composition, in the rehabilitation of CAD patients., Methods: Twenty-six male subjects with CAD were randomly divided into a training group (n = 14), submitted to the WAET, and a control group (n = 12). The WAET consisted of 3 weekly sessions on alternate days, totalling 48 sessions. The analysis of HR variability was used to evaluate the autonomic modulation of HR, from the recording of R-R intervals for 15 min, at rest in the supine position, and the body composition was evaluated through the bioelectrical impedance analysis., Results: Only the training group participants had improvement in the HR variability indices; patterns without variation decreased (0V, p = .005) and an increase of patterns of two different variations (p < .001), Shannon entropy (p = .02), and normalized conditional entropy (p = .03), whereas the control group had an increase of 0V (p = .04) and a decrease of normalized conditional entropy (p = .01). All body composition variables remained unchanged., Conclusions: The WAET protocol improved the cardiac autonomic modulation of patients with CAD and can be considered as exercise training strategy in cardiac rehabilitation programs., (Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Studies show that highly diluted medications demonstrate benefits in treating infections, constituting an alternative for their treatment. The present study evaluated the effects of Lycopodium clavatum, dynamization 13c, in Wistar rats infected with T. cruzi. In this study 42 male rats were intraperitoneally inoculated with T. cruzi - Y strain and allocated into groups: IC (infected control group) and Ly (treated with L. clavatum 13c). The cytokines dosage (IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-10, IL-4), quantification and morphometry of myenteric neurons were evaluated. The treatment with L. clavatum modifies the immune response, with increase of IFN-γ on day 10 a.i. and IL-12 on day 24 a.i., decrease of IL-10 concentration on day 10 a.i. and subsequent increase of this cytokine and IL-4 on day 24 a.i., affording a bigger number of myenteric neurons compared to IC group. Thus, L. clavatum 13c promoted on rats infected with T. cruzi a beneficial immunomodulatory action reducing the pathogenic progression of digestive Chagas disease., (Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Arachis kuhlmannii occurs in Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul States, Brazil. Its area of occurrence partially overlaps with that of other species in the Arachis section. Because of their morphological similarities, these species are often mistaken one for another. This study aimed the correct classification of available accessions as Arachis kuhlmannii, or other species, and the characterization of similarities among accessions and Arachis hypogaea by morphological, cytogenetic, and molecular marker analyses. Thirty-eight accessions were used. Principal component analysis was used for morphological characterization, root tips for mitotic metaphase analysis, and RAPD markers for molecular characterization. Cluster analysis discriminated accessions with the A genome from the B genome. Cluster analysis based on molecular markers discriminated natural populations in a manner that correlated with geographical areas of the collection. Arachis cardenasii and A. hypogaea were isolated from other A-genome accessions. Cytogenetic analyses confirmed the existence of diagnostic characteristics that distinguish species with the A genome from those with the B genome. Results suggest the need for a taxonomic review of some species in the Arachis section, as we could not discriminate as distinct species all of the accessions identified as A. kuhlmannii, A. helodes, and A. simpsonii by using morphological, molecular, and cytogenetic markers.