Does exercise-induced muscle damage impair subsequent motor skill learning?

Motor skill learning is a fundamental aspect of human behavior based on the calibration of internal models via sensory information such as proprioception. Some conditions, as exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), disrupt proprioceptive information, and may cause learning impairment. Such possible relation between EIMD and motor skill learning has not yet been investigated and it is the aim of this study.

Adrenalectomy impairs vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced changes in food intake and plasma parameters.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) and glucocorticoid in the changes induced by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on food intake and plasma parameters, as well as VIP receptor subtype 2 (VPAC2) mRNA expression in different hypothalamic nuclei of male rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats (260-280 g) were subjected to ADX or sham surgery, 7 days before the experiments. Half of ADX animals received corticosterone (ADX + CORT) in the drinking water.

Sex differences in glucocorticoids-induced anabolic effects in rats.

Glucocorticoids (GC) increase food intake and body weight in humans and rodents and chronic stress and GC treatment-induced enhancement of the plasma concentration of GC lead to obesity and metabolic changes. In response to hypercaloric treatment, males were shown to be more susceptible to obesity than females, demonstrating that sex differences may affect energy homeostasis. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effects of prolonged (28 days) treatment with dexamethasone or corticosterone on food intake and body weight gain in intact rats, both male and female.

Evidence for Host Epigenetic Signatures Arising From Arbovirus Infections: A Systematic Review.

Arbovirus infections have steadily become a major pandemic threat. This study aimed at investigating the existence of host epigenetic markers arising from the principal arboviruses infections impacting on human health. We set to systematically review all published evidence describing any epigenetic modifications associated with infections from arboviruses, including, but not limited to, microRNAs, DNA methylation, and histone modifications.

Evaluation of the sequence method as a tool to assess spontaneous baroreflex in reptiles.

The sequence method is an alternative to the traditional pharmacological approach (i.e., the Oxford technique) used to calculate baroreflex gain (G) in mammals.

Diffusion Tensor Imaging Biomarkers to Predict Motor Outcomes in Stroke: A Narrative Review.

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Motor impairments occur in most of the patients with stroke in the acute phase and contribute substantially to disability. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) biomarkers such as fractional anisotropy (FA) measured at an early phase after stroke have emerged as potential predictors of motor recovery.

Arthrographic Study of the Communication between the Tarsal Joints in Crioulo Horses.

Objective:  The aim of the present study is to assess an arthrographic technique based on the access to the equine tarsus via distal intertarsal and on the existence and frequency of communication between distal and tarsocrural joints in the tarsus of Crioulo horses.

Materials And Methods:  Fifty Crioulo horses of both sexes from 3 to 8 years old were included in the experiment. Animals with radiographic signs of tarsal osteoarthritis and joint space loss were excluded from the experiment.

Is possible to rule out clinically significant prostate cancer using PI-RADS v2 for the assessment of prostate MRI?

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of PI-RADS v2.

Materials And Methods: In this Institutional Review Board approved single-center retrospective study, 98 patients with clinically suspected PCa who underwent 3-T multiparametric MRI followed by MRI/TRUS fusion-guided prostate biopsy were included from June 2013 to February 2015. Two radiologists (R1 and R2) with 8 and 1 years of experience in abdominal radiology reviewed the MRI scans and assigned PI-RADS v2 scores in all prostate zones.

Jejunoileal GIST: A Rare Case of Transient Intussusception and Gastrointestinal Bleeding.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) comprised 0,2% of all GI tumors. They are typically asymptomatic, but can manifest with nonspecific GI symptoms, GI bleeding, or intussusception. The authors report a case of a 55-year-old female patient with hematochezia and a palpable mass on the left lower quadrant.

The bone response in endurance long distance horse.

The aim of this study was to understand the bone response against the exercise adaptations to reduce the occurrence of orthopedic injuries in endurance horses. To this end, the objective of the present work was to investigate how the bone adaptation on adult equines that were trained for 4-5 yr to endurance races responds to the long-term exercise of moderate intensity by comparing to non-athlete horses. For this purpose, 14 Arabian horses were selected and divided equally into two groups; a control group formed by animals that had never practiced physical activity nor been tamed and an exercise group formed by athlete animals.

Serotonin synthesis protects the mouse colonic crypt from DNA damage and colorectal tumorigenesis.

Serotonin (5-HT) signaling pathways are thought to be involved in colorectal tumorigenesis (CRT), but the role of 5-HT synthesis in the early steps of this process is presently unknown. In this study, we used carcinogen treatment in the tryptophan hydroxylase 1 knockout (Tph1KO) and transgenic (Tph1 Villin ) mouse models defective in 5-HT synthesis to investigate the early mutagenic events associated with CRT. Our observations of the colonic crypt post-treatment followed a timeline designed to understand how disruption of 5-HT synthesis affects the initial steps leading to CRT.

SN-38, the active metabolite of irinotecan, inhibits the acute inflammatory response by targeting toll-like receptor 4.

Purpose: Anticancer-drug efficacy seems to involve the direct interaction with host immune cells. Although topoisomerase I (Top I) inhibitors have been suggested to block LPS-evoked inflammation, the interaction between these drugs and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is unaddressed.

Methods: SN-38, the active metabolite of the Top I inhibitor irinotecan, and TLR4 interaction was assessed using the in vitro luciferase nuclear factor-κB reporter assay, neutrophil migration to murine air-pouch, in silico simulation, and the thermal shift assay (TSA).

Ecotoxicological effects of lanthanum in Mytilus galloprovincialis: Biochemical and histopathological impacts.

Inappropriate processing and disposal of electronic waste contributes to the contamination of aquatic systems by various types of pollutants such as the rare-earth elements (REE) in which lanthanum (La) is included. Knowledge on the toxicity of these elements in marine organisms is still scarce when compared to other metals such as mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As). Therefore, this study aims to assess the toxicity of La on the mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, considered a good bioindicator of aquatic pollution, through the analysis of metabolic, oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and histopathological markers.

Respiratory sinus arrhythmia is a major component of heart rate variability in undisturbed, remotely monitored rattlesnakes, .

ECG recordings were obtained using an implanted telemetry device from the South American rattlesnake, , held under stable conditions without restraining cables or interaction with researchers. Mean heart rate () recovered rapidly (<24 h) from anaesthesia and operative procedures. This preceded a more gradual development of heart rate variability (HRV), with instantaneous increasing during each lung ventilation cycle.

[Prescribing of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs to Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Portugal].

Introduction: Portugal presents the highest incidence of stage 5 chronic kidney disease in Europe. It is speculated that a high consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) may contribute to this high incidence. Our aim was to characterize the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to patients with diabetes mellitus in Portugal.

Predictive equations for muscle mass in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia.

Objective: to compare anthropometric equations with one that uses BIA to predict muscle mass in patients with SCA. Methods: 76 patients with ages from 22 to 72 years had their muscle mass estimated by the equation that employs BIA and by five anthropometric equations. The results were analyzed using Pearson's and intraclass correlation coefficient, the paired t test and the Bland-Altman plot.

The Neuroprotective Effect of Doxycycline on Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are a group of chronic, progressive disorders characterized by the gradual loss of neurons that affect specific regions of the brain, which leads to deficits in specific functions (e.g., memory, movement, cognition).

WITHDRAWN: Sex differences in glucocorticoids-induced anabolic effects on energy balance.

This article has been withdrawn: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy).

Estradiol protects against ovariectomy-induced susceptibility to the anabolic effects of glucocorticoids in rats.

Glucocorticoids increase appetite and body weight gain in rats and ovariectomy (OVX) induces obesity, while estrogen (E) replacement attenuates OVX-induced changes. It is known that animals with obesity are more responsive to glucocorticoids anabolic effects than lean ones. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy and the protective role of estradiol on the responses induced by prolonged treatment with corticosterone or dexamethasone on energy homeostasis.

Estimation of skeletal muscle mass in patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and 10.

Background: Neurodegenerative diseases may progress to a level in which patients present spontaneous weight loss, resulting in increased falls and functional disabilities when the disease is associated with muscle mass depletion.

Objective: Evaluate the muscle compartment in patients presenting spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) type 3 and 10.

Methods: Forty-six patients presenting SCA type 3 and 10 were assessed and 76 volunteers were selected to the control group.

Early identification of first-year students at risk of dropping out of high-school entry medical school: the usefulness of teachers' ratings of class participation.

Dropping out from undergraduate medical education is costly for students, medical schools, and society in general. Therefore, the early identification of potential dropout students is important. The contribution of personal features to dropout rates has merited exploration.

Post-stroke depression and cognitive impairment: Study design and preliminary findings in a Brazilian prospective stroke cohort (EMMA study).

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) and cognitive impairment (PCI) are common conditions. This study aims to describe the protocol and preliminary findings of an investigation into factors associated with PSD and PCI 1-3 months after stroke (subacute phase) in survivors from the Study of Stroke Mortality and Morbidity (EMMA study).

Methods: Stroke patients underwent to clinical and neurological evaluations on admission to hospital.

Cumulative Radiation Exposures from CT Screening and Surveillance Strategies for von Hippel-Lindau-associated Solid Pancreatic Tumors.

Purpose To assess the potential ionizing radiation exposure from CT scans for both screening and surveillance of patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. Materials and Methods For this retrospective study, abdomen-pelvic (AP) and chest-abdomen-pelvic (CAP) CT scans were performed with either a three-phase (n = 1242) or a dual-energy virtual noncontrast protocol (VNC; n = 149) in 747 patients with VHL syndrome in the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center between 2009 and 2015 (mean age, 47.6 years ± 14.

Corticotrophin-releasing factor mediates vasoactive intestinal peptide-induced hypophagia and changes in plasma parameters.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) are anorexigenic neuropeptides that act in the hypothalamus to regulate food intake. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) microinjection of VIP promotes increased plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone, indicating that VIP activates hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interaction between VIP and CRF, by verifying the effects of ICV administration of VIP on the activity of neurons and CRF mRNA expression in paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN).