Smoking Intensity Increases Diaphragm Muscle Injury: A Clinicopathologic Study.

Background: Studying the effects of smoking intensity is important to evaluate the risk of tobacco use on a range of illnesses, such as as sarcopenia among the elderly. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of pack-years of cigarette smoking on the diaphragm muscle (DIAm) histopathology of postmortem samples.

Methods: Subjects were divided into three groups: never-smoker ( = 46); less than 30 pack-years of smoking ( = 12); and more than 30 pack-years of smoking ( = 30).

Effects of aging on the secretory apparatus in the right atrial cardiomyocytes of rats.

The cardiac atria secrets polypeptide hormones usually called natriuretic peptides (NPs). These substances play a relevant role in the blood pressure regulation. The objective of the study was to estimate the effects of aging on the secretory apparatus of NPs in cardiomyocytes of the right atrium.

Evaluation of the Diaphragm Muscle Remodeling, Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Vascularization in Smokers: An Autopsy Study.

Background/aims: Cigarette smoking is a key factor in systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, and it has also been associated with the loss of muscle strength and an elevated risk of pulmonary diseases. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the effects of cigarette smoking on the diaphragm muscle structure of postmortem samples.

Methods: Immunohistochemical techniques were used for muscle remodeling (metalloproteinases 2 and 9), inflammation (cyclooxygenase-2), oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine), and vascularization (vascular endothelial growth factor).

Ultrastructural effects of diabetes in the right atrium cardiomyocytes of elderly Wistar rats.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of diabetes on quantitative parameters of right atrial cardiomyocytes of elderly rats. Wistar rats (14 months of age) were divided into two groups: streptozotocin-diabetic rats (DG) and control rats (CG). The groups were sacrificed at 16 months.

Diaphragm muscle structure in the elderly: Findings from an autopsy study.

Sarcopenia is characterized as aging-related weakness and atrophy, which decreases the diaphragm force generating capacity leading to a decrease of expulsive non-ventilatory motor behaviors, which are critical for airway clearance. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the histopathology of the diaphragm in postmortem samples. Thirty individuals were included.

Cigarette Smoking Impairs the Diaphragm Muscle Structure of Patients without Respiratory Pathologies: An Autopsy Study.

Background/aims: Smoking is a major risk factor for several cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and it has also been associated with the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength leading to sarcopenia. The aim of this is study is to analyze the effects of cigarette smoking on the diaphragm muscle histopathology of postmortem samples from patients without respiratory diseases.

Methods: Diaphragm samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histopathological analysis.

Physical exercise alters hepatic morphology of low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout ovariectomized mice.

To explore the effects of physical exercise on the liver of animals in menopause, we analyzed the histomorphometric parameters of the hepatic tissue in ovariectomized and dyslipidemic female mice. The animals were distributed in six groups (n = 5): sedentary control (SC), sedentary ovariectomized control (SOC), trained ovariectomized control (TOC), sedentary LDL knockout (LDL-S), sedentary ovariectomized LDL knockout (LDL-SO), and trained ovariectomized LDL knockout (LDL-TO). At the end of the experiment, the liver and the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of animals were removed for morphometric and stereological studies.

Positive changes in femoral nerve morphometry in older rats following aerobic training.

The objective of the present study was to analyze alterations of the femoral nerve of aged rats subjected to aerobic training. Wistar rats (12-mo of age) were divided in to two groups: S group (sedentary) and T group (trained). The exercise protocol were 16 weeks long.

Aging Induces Changes in the Somatic Nerve and Postsynaptic Component without Any Alterations in Skeletal Muscles Morphology and Capacity to Carry Load of Rats.

The present study aimed to analyze the morphology of the peripheral nerve, postsynaptic compartment, skeletal muscles and weight-bearing capacity of rats at specific ages. Twenty rats were divided into groups: 10 months-old (ADULT) and 24 months-old (OLD). After euthanasia, we prepared and analyzed the tibial nerve using transmission electron microscopy and the soleus and plantaris muscles for cytofluorescence and histochemistry.

Balanced Caloric Restriction Minimizes Changes Caused by Aging on the Colonic Myenteric Plexus.

Aging can promote significant morphofunctional changes in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Regulation of GIT motility is mainly controlled by the myenteric neurons of the enteric nervous system. Actions that aim at decreasing the aging effects in the GIT include those related to diet, with caloric restriction (CR).

Effects of resistance training on liver structure and function of aged rats.

Unlabelled: The aging process may cause negative physiological changes. However, exercises as resistance training (RT) have been considered an important intervention to attenuate these changes. Additionally, liver plays an important role in blood glucose homeostasis in exercise.

Reference database of hematological parameters for growing and aging rats.

Unlabelled: The normal hematological values in various phases of the rat life provide a valuable guide to researchers and could be useful for experimental works. However, database information available on the literature are incomplete.

Aim: This study aimed to present normal hematological parameters of young and aged rats.

Effects of testosterone administration on liver structure and function in aging rats.

Unlabelled: Aging males have a decrease in testosterone levels, by which the testosterone treatment may influence in a negatively fashion the liver.

Aim: This study aimed to analyze the effects of aging with or without testosterone administration on the liver components of animals.

Methods: Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 20 months' group (G20), 24 months' group (G24), group treated with testosterone for 16 weeks (GT).

Caloric restriction minimizes aging effects on the femoral medial condyle.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of caloric restriction on aged femoral articular cartilage of Wistar rats. Three groups of eight animals each were considered: young (YC) and old (OC) control groups fed with a normal diet and old caloric restriction group (OCR) composed of 18-month-old animals fed with a 31% less caloric diet from 6-months of age. Articular cartilage was studied through morphometry and immunohistochemistry.

Ultrasound evaluation of the morphometric patterns of lymph nodes of the head and neck in young and middle-aged individuals.

Objective: To show the morphometric patterns of lymph nodes of the head and neck, evaluating their number, shape, dimensions, hilum, and cortex, through the use of ultrasound examination of the neck.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed 400 right and left lymph nodes in a group of 20 healthy young and middle-aged individuals of both genders.

Results: In the ultrasound examination, we observed the following lymph nodes: mastoid; parotid (superficial, extraglandular, and intraglandular); submandibular (preglandular, retroglandular, and intracapsular); submental; and cervical (anterior and posterior).

Effects of exercise on neuromuscular junction components across age: systematic review of animal experimental studies.

Background: During almost one-third of our life, maturation of the nervous system promotes strength and muscle mass increase. However, as age advances, the nervous system begins to suffer a slow and continue reduction of its functions. Neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is one of the structures of which change due to aging process.

Effects of moderate exercise on the biochemical, physiological, morphological and functional parameters of the aorta in the presence of estrogen deprivation and dyslipidemia: an experimental model.

Background: The estrogen deficiency, abnormal lipid profile, weight gain and a sedentary lifestyle are factors associated with the increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease in menopausal women. However, physical exercise practice reduces some of these risk factors. Moreover, it has been shown that exercise has an impact on inflammation, in sympathetic activity and improves endothelial function.

Reference database of lung volumes and capacities in wistar rats from 2 to 24 months.

Unlabelled: This study determines the effects of growing and aging on lung physiological volumes and capacities and the incidence of inflammation in the small airways with age in rats. A reference database comprising of body weight gain, lung physiological volumes and capacities and an anatomopathological study of lung lesions over 240 Wistar rats from two to 24 -mo, is described. Tidal volume (TV), minute respiratory volume (MRV), and forced vital capacity (FVC) decreased during the first six months of life and then remain constant until 24 -mo of age.

Effects of ovariectomy on the secretory apparatus in the right atrial cardiomyocytes of middle-aged mice.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of ovariectomy on the secretory apparatus of natriuretic peptides in right atrial cardiomyocytes.

Methods: Nine-month-old mice underwent bilateral ovariectomy or sham surgery. The blood exam of the ovariectomized mice showed results consistent with castrated females.

Resistance exercise and testosterone treatment alters the proportion of numerical density of capillaries of the left ventricle of aging Wistar rats.

Unlabelled: Changes in the heart compartments that leads to pathological cardiac hypertrophy can be related to testosterone reduction in aging males since heart cells are susceptible to androgens. Resistance exercise delays the changes of aging.

Aim: This study aimed to analyze alterations of the left ventricle of aged rats subjected to resistance exercise with administration of testosterone.

Effects of aerobic training, resistance training, or combined resistance-aerobic training on the left ventricular myocardium in a rat model.

This study follows the left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in rats undergoing aerobic training alone (A), resistance training alone (R), or combined resistance and aerobic training (RA) (usually referred as concurrent training) program. A sedentary control group (C) was included. LV remodeling was evaluated using electron and light microscopy.

The effects of joint immobilization on articular cartilage of the knee in previously exercised rats.

Studies have determined the effects of joint immobilization on the articular cartilage of sedentary animals, but we are not aware of any studies reporting the effects of joint immobilization in previously trained animals. The objective of the present study was to determine whether exercise could prevent degeneration of the articular cartilage that accompanies joint immobilization. We used light microscopy to study the thickness, cell density, nuclear size, and collagen density of articular cartilage of the femoral condyle of Wistar rats subjected to aerobic physical activity on an adapted treadmill five times per week.

Menopause, exercise, and knee. What happens?

Objective: To check if ovariectomy produces alterations in the articular cartilage structure of the tibial proximal epiphysis and if aerobic physical exercise has any influence on these alterations.

Methods: Six-month-old female Wistar rats were distributed in three groups: Control group (CG), without ovariectomy and physical activity; Oophorectomy and sedentary group (OSG), with bilateral ovariectomy and without physical activity, and Oophorectomy and trained group (OTG), with bilateral ovariectomy and physical activity during 3 months. All rats were euthanised at 9 months of age.

Acute exercise adjustments of cardiovascular autonomic control in diabetic rats.

Introduction: We evaluated the role of cardiovascular autonomic changes in hemodynamics at rest and in response to exercise in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into nondiabetic (ND, n = 8) and diabetic (D, n = 8) groups. Arterial pressure signals were recorded in the basal state and after atropine or propranolol injections at rest, during exercise and during recovery.

SCG postnatal remodelling--hypertrophy and neuron number stability--in Spix's yellow-toothed cavies (Galea spixii).

Whilst a fall in neuron numbers seems a common pattern during postnatal development, several authors have nonetheless reported an increase in neuron number, which may be associated with any one of a number of possible processes encapsulating either neurogenesis or late maturation and incomplete differentiation. Recent publications have thus added further fuel to the notion that a postnatal neurogenesis may indeed exist in sympathetic ganglia. In the light of these uncertainties surrounding the effects exerted by postnatal development on the number of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) neurons, we have used state-of-the-art design-based stereology to investigate the quantitative structure of SCG at four distinct timepoints after birth, viz.