Functional Adaptation Research Articles

Neuronal properties in the Lateral Habenula and adult-newborn interactions in virgin female and male mice.

The behavioral interactions between adults and newborns are decisive for the fitness and the survival of offsprings across the animal kingdom. In laboratory mice, while virgin females display caregiving behaviors, virgin males are rather neglectful or aggressive towards pups. Despite the importance of these behavioral variations, the underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. Brain regions encoding these behaviors may exhibit sex-dependent functional differences at baseline. Additionally, these structures might undergo sex-specific plasticity after adults interact with the offspring.Emerging evidence suggests sex-based differences in input connectivity, genetics and receptor expression of the epithalamic Lateral Habenula (LHb). Moreover, LHb neuronal activity is instrumental for adult-newborn interactions. However, whether LHb neuronal function varies between sexes and/or undergoes adaptations following interactions with pups has not been fully investigated.In this study, we used in vivo and ex vivo single-cell electrophysiology to examine the basal LHb neuronal activity of virgin female and male mice. In a second set of experiments, we exposed mice to pups and recapitulated sex-based divergent behaviors. Recordings in acute slices showed no alterations in LHb firing properties, regardless of sex or pup exposure. These findings suggest that, although the LHb participates in adult behaviors towards pups, this is not mediated by sex-dependent functional differences or adaptations in the neuronal firing properties. Thus, this study provides new insights into the neural basis of sex-specific adult-newborn behaviors and the role of the LHb in these processes.Significance Statement Previous studies highlight the importance of the lateral habenula (LHb) in guiding parental behaviors. Virgin female and male mice differ in their behavior towards pups: while females are parental, males neglect or attack pups. We investigated whether LHb neuronal activity or its plasticity after pup exposure presented sex differences in virgin mice. Our findings reveal that LHb activity does not differ between naïve females and males, and it remains unchanged after pup exposure. This suggests a decoupling between sex-dimorphic behaviors towards newborns and activity of the LHb.

Shape and Size Variations in the Astragalus of Large and Small Bovids

The astragalus acts as a crucial intermediary in the tarsal joint, facilitating the transfer of body weight to the lower extremities while also ensuring both stability and mobility through its articulation with adjacent bones, enabling efficient movement. This study investigates the morphological diversity of the astragalus in three modern cattle breeds, one goat breed, and three sheep breeds using three-dimensional geometric morphometric methods. A total of 225 specimens were analyzed in this study. Large bovids, such as the Holstein and Simmental cattle breeds, had a more developed lateral edge of the proximal trochlea and a more rounded astragalus. In small bovids, the Akkaraman and Morkaraman sheep breeds displayed a more prominent medial edge and a rounded astragalus form, while the Hair goat breed exhibited a rectangular structure with a well-developed lateral projection. The results of this study demonstrate that the astragalus serves as a reliable morphological marker for differentiating between large and small bovids, as well as between closely related taxa such as sheep and goats. These shape variations, particularly observed in the proximal trochlea, reflect functional adaptations to size, body mass, and locomotor demands, making the astragalus a critical element for taxonomic identification and biomechanical analysis.

Left Atrial Markers in Diagnosing and Prognosticating Non-Ischemic Cardiomyopathies: Ready for Prime Time?

The left atrium (LA) is pivotal in cardiac hemodynamics, serving as a dynamic indicator of left ventricular (LV) compliance and diastolic function. The LA undergoes structural and functional adaptations in response to hemodynamic stress, infiltrative processes, myocardial injury, and arrhythmic triggers. Remodeling of the LA in response to these stressors directly impacts pulmonary circulation, eventually leading to pulmonary capillary involvement, pulmonary artery hypertension, and eventually right ventricular failure. LA dysfunction and fibrosis also contribute to the future risk of atrial arrhythmias and mitral regurgitation. The parameters of LA size and function are being recognized as robust markers for the progression of several cardiac pathologies as well as important tools for prognostication. In this article, we briefly describe the different modalities and markers used to evaluate LA pathology in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathies (NICM). We then provide an overview of the studies that compared the association of the different LA parameters with disease severity and future prognosis. We also identify the gaps in knowledge before these LA parameters make a case for clinical adoption.

Phylogenetic Perspectives and Ethnobotanical Insights on Wild Edible Plants of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa

This study investigates the phylogenetic and geographical distribution of wild food plants (WFPs) across 30 Mediterranean and North African (MENA) regions, focusing on the intersection of evolutionary lineage, ecological adaptation, and cultural utilization. A phylogenetic analysis of 111 genera of WFPs used in traditional diets reveals clusters reflecting shared ancestry, functional adaptations, and ecological resilience. Key regions such as Lebanon and Ikaria stand out as potential centers for the diversity of wild food plant use, suggesting that the Eastern Mediterranean may be a primary origin area, especially for species adapted to semi-arid climates. Major plant families including Lamiaceae, Rosaceae, and Fabaceae form distinct clusters that underscore their common ancestry and adaptability, making them foundational to traditional diets and medicinal applications across various environments. Geographical analysis indicates historical connections, such as those between Malta and Egypt, supporting the hypothesis that ancient trade routes influenced the spread and cultural exchange of wild food plant use across the Mediterranean. The study emphasizes the integration of phylogenetic and ethnobotanical perspectives, shedding light on how biodiversity, ecological adaptation, and cultural practices intersect in these regions. This research demonstrates that WFPs serve as both ecological and cultural assets, crucial for preserving traditional diets and supporting biodiversity conservation amid environmental changes. Integrating evolutionary and cultural knowledge can enrich ecological understanding and contribute to the sustainable use of plant resources in the MENA regions.

Left atrial reservoir strain as a predictor of cardiac dysfunction in a murine model of pressure overload.

Left atrial (LA) strain is emerging as a valuable metric for evaluating cardiac function, particularly under pathological conditions such as pressure overload. This preclinical study investigates the predictive utility of LA strain on cardiac function in a murine model subjected to pressure overload, mimicking pathologies such as hypertension and aortic stenosis. High-resolution ultrasound was performed in a cohort of mice (n = 16) to evaluate left atrial and left ventricular function at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks after transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Acute adaptations in cardiac function were assessed in a subgroup of mice (n = 10) with 3 days post-TAC imaging. We report an increase in LA max volume from 11.0 ± 4.3 μL at baseline to 26.7 ± 16.7 μL at 4 weeks (p = 0.002) and a decrease in LA reservoir strain from 20.8 ± 5.4% at baseline to 10.2 ± 6.9% at 4 weeks (p = 0.001). In the acute phase, LA strain dysfunction was present at 3 days (p < 0.001), prior to alterations in LA volume (p = 0.856) or left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (p = 0.120). LA reservoir strain correlated with key indicators of cardiac performance including left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (r = 0.541, p < 0.001), longitudinal strain (r = -0.637, p < 0.001), and strain rate (r = 0.378, p = 0.007). Furthermore, markers of atrial structure and function including LA max volume (AUC = 0.813, p = 0.003), ejection fraction (AUC = 0.853, p = 0.001), and strain (AUC = 0.884, p < 0.001) all predicted LV dysfunction. LA strain and function assessments provide a reliable, non-invasive method for the early detection and prediction of cardiac dysfunction in a model of pressure overload.

Accounting for fascicle curvature affects muscle architecture characterization in dynamic conditions (isokinetic contractions).

Investigating muscle architecture in static and dynamic conditions is essential to understand muscle function and muscle adaptations. Muscle architecture analysis, primarily through extended field-of-view ultrasound imaging, offers high reliability at rest but faces limitations during dynamic conditions. Traditional methods often involve "best fitting" straight lines to track muscle fascicles, leading to possible errors, especially with longer fascicles or those with nonlinear paths. Moreover, muscle architecture varies along the same muscle, with potential differences in curvature. This study aimed to develop and test a new software for muscle architecture characterization considering fascicle curvature during dynamic conditions. Muscle architecture data from different muscle regions using various digitalization methods were compared. Ten healthy young adults (24.1±1.6years; 177.7±7.4cm; 72.7±7.7kg; 9M/1F) performed maximal knee extension at 75°.s-1 while B-mode ultrasound images of vastus lateralis muscle were captured in two muscle sites (at 50% and 83% of femur length). The analysis involved automated straight-line (ST) methods and custom manual linear extrapolation (MLE) software with segmented fascicle tracking using 2 (MLE2) and 4 (MLE4) segments inside the field of view. Results indicated significant overestimations of fascicle length, muscle belly length and thickness and underestimation of pennation angle using ST compared to MLE methods, especially in the distal region. Intra-rater repeatability for MLE4 was excellent (ICC=0.93; 0.90; 0.93; 0.88, respectively; P<0.001), while inter-rater reliability varied. This study confirms the need to consider fascicle curvature for accurate resting muscle architecture characterization, even in the middle region of the muscle, and extends these considerations to dynamic conditions.

Adaptation of functional gait parameters to a newly provided stiffness-optimized ankle-foot orthosis.

Clinical decisions regarding ankle-foot-orthosis stiffness in people with calf muscle weakness are based on immediate evaluations, not taking gait adaptation into account. This study examined adaptation of step length, walking speed and energy cost of walking in the 3-months post-provision and whether individuals with higher gait variability adapt more compared to individuals with lower gait variability. We conducted a post-hoc analysis in eighteen stiffness-optimized ankle-foot-orthosis users with bilateral calf muscle weakness. Gait biomechanics, step length, walking speed and walking energy cost directly after provision (T1) and 3-months post-provision of the ankle-foot-orthosis (T2) were compared using paired sampled t-tests. Based on gait variability scores at T1, a high and low gait variability group was determined, and change scores in the functional gait parameters were compared using non-parametric independent sampled t-tests. A significance level of p ˂ 0.1 was used. No significant differences in step length, walking speed and energy cost of walking between T1 and T2 were found (p>0.20). Step length increased more in people with high gait variability scores at T1 compared to those with low gait variability scores (High: +3.1 [-3.2-+6.9], Low: +0.2 [-6.8-+3.7] cm, p=0.085), while no differences between groups were found for walking speed and energy cost of walking (p>0.129). After provision of stiffness-optimized ankle-foot-orthoses in people with bilateral calf muscle weakness, no functional gait adaptations were found. However, people demonstrating high gait variability increased step length more compared to those demonstrating lower variability, which might be an indication that variability plays a role in adaptation.

Atp1a2 and Kcnj9 Are Candidate Genes Underlying Sensitivity to Oxycodone-Induced Locomotor Activation and Withdrawal-Induced Anxiety-Like Behaviors in C57BL/6 Substrains.

Opioid use disorder is heritable, yet its genetic etiology is largely unknown. C57BL/6J and C57BL/6NJ mouse substrains exhibit phenotypic diversity in the context of limited genetic diversity which together can facilitate genetic discovery. Here, we found C57BL/6NJ mice were less sensitive to oxycodone (OXY)-induced locomotor activation versus C57BL/6J mice in a conditioned place preference paradigm. Narrow-sense heritability of OXY-induced locomotor activity traits ranged from 0.22 to 0.31, implicating suitability for genetic analysis. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping in an F2 cross identified a chromosome 1 QTL explaining 7%-12% of the variance in OXY locomotion and anxiety-like withdrawal in the elevated plus maze. A second QTL for EPM withdrawal behavior on chromosome 5 near Gabra2 (alpha-2 subunit of GABA-A receptor) explained 9% of the variance. To narrow the chromosome 1 locus, we generated recombinant lines spanning 163-181 Mb, captured the QTL for OXY locomotor traits and withdrawal, and fine-mapped a 2.45-Mb region (170.16-172.61 Mb). Transcriptome analysis identified five, localized striatal cis-eQTL transcripts and two were confirmed at the protein level (KCNJ9, ATP1A2). Kcnj9 codes for a potassium channel (GIRK3) that is a major effector of mu opioid receptor signaling. Atp1a2 codes for a subunit of a Na+/K+ ATPase enzyme that regulates neuronal excitability and shows functional adaptations following chronic opioid administration. To summarize, we identified two candidate genes underlying the physiological and behavioral properties of opioids, with direct preclinical relevance to investigators employing these widely used substrains and clinical relevance to human genetic studies of opioid use disorder.

Re-granulation and performance of anaerobically digested bacterial and algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge.

Effective treatment and sustainable waste sludge management are critical challenges for future biorefinery wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study investigated the feasibility of re-granulating anaerobically digested bacterial and algal-bacterial aerobic granular sludge (AGS) for sustaining the continuous operation of the AGS-based WWTPs due to the requirement of long-term operation for granulation of flocculent activated sludge. Rapid re-granulation was achieved within 12 and 6 days respectively from digested bacterial AGS and algal-bacterial AGS, demonstrating their high stability and settleability even after anaerobic digestion (AD). The re-granulated bacterial AGS system exhibited >90% dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal, probably attributed to its greater microbial diversity and richness and elevated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) secretion. The re-granulated algal-bacterial AGS system featured enhanced functional adaptability. It showed a lower average effluent dissolved total carbon concentration (∼100mg/L) and high total inorganic nitrogen removal (>89%) in addition to>56% maximum total phosphorus removal. Morphological observations revealed that some granules retained their compact structure and cores after AD, providing a niche for their re-granulation. Aromatic proteins and fulvic acid-like organics were the critical promoters for AGS regranulation. Notable shifts in microbial community structure, particularly the increase in abundance of photosynthetic bacteria such as Erythromicrobium, Leptolyngbya, and Rhodobacter, played an essential role in enhancing the overall performance of the re-granulated algal-bacterial AGS. By validating the system's effectiveness and exploring the factors governing re-granulation, this study proposes a viable strategy for advancing the sustainability of AGS-based WWTPs and promoting circular bioeconomy practices.

A Reliable High-Performance Floating-Gate Transistor Based on ZrS2 Native Oxidation for Optoelectronic Synergistic Artificial Synapses.

Floating-gate transistors (FGTs), considered the most promising structure among three-terminal van der Waals (vdW) synaptic transistors, possess superiorities in improved data retention, excellent endurance properties, and multibit storage capacity, thereby overcoming the von Neumann bottleneck in conventional computing architectures. However, the dielectric layer in FGT devices typically depends on atomic layer deposition or mechanically transferred insulators, posing several challenges in terms of device compatibility, manufacturing complexity, and performance degradation. Therefore, it is crucial to discover dielectrics compatible with two-dimensional (2D) materials for further simplifying FGT structures and achieving optimal performance. Here, we present a controllable and reliable oxidation process to convert the 2D semiconductor ZrS2 into its native oxide ZrOx and combine ZrOx/ZrS2 with the MoS2 channel to form MoS2/ZrOx/ZrS2 FGT, which exhibits a high on/off ratio of 107, a wide memory window of 101 V, a long retention time of 103 s, a large storage capacity of 7 bits, an excellent PPF index of 269.4%, and low power consumption of 5 pJ. Under photoelectric stimulation, the device stimulates various biological synapse behaviors, including associative memory function and retina-like adaptation. In particular, the device achieves information storage and erasure under solely optical stimulation, exhibiting high consistency with synaptic weight modulation in optogenetics and outstanding optoelectronic storage performance. These results suggest that our work provides a novel and effective approach for simplifying FGT structures and enhancing their performance, holding significant potential for application in next-generation multifunctional memory devices and systems.

Placental mitochondrial metabolic adaptation maintains cellular energy balance in pregnancy complicated by gestational hypoxia.

The mechanisms that drive placental dysfunction in pregnancies complicated by hypoxia and fetal growth restriction remain poorly understood. Changes to mitochondrial respiration contribute to cellular dysfunction in conditions of hypoxia and have been implicated in the pathoaetiology of pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia. We used bespoke isobaric hypoxic chambers and a combination of functional, molecular and imaging techniques to study cellular metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics in sheep undergoing hypoxic pregnancy. We show that hypoxic pregnancy in sheep triggers a shift in capacity away from β-oxidation and complex I-mediated respiration, while maintaining total oxidative phosphorylation capacity. There are also complex-specific changes to electron transport chain composition and a switch in mitochondrial dynamics towards fission. Hypoxic placentas show increased activation of the non-canonical mitochondrial unfolded protein response pathway and enhanced insulin like growth factor 2 signalling. Combined, therefore, the data show that the hypoxic placenta undergoes significant metabolic and morphological adaptations to maintain cellular energy balance. Chronic hypoxia during pregnancy in sheep activated placental mitochondrial stress pathways, leading to alterations in mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial energy metabolism and mitochondrial dynamics, as seen in the placenta of women with pre-eclampsia. KEY POINTS: Hypoxia shifts mitochondrial respiration away from β-oxidation and complex I. Complex-specific changes occur in the electron transport chain composition. Activation of the non-canonical mitochondrial unfolded protein response pathway is heightened in hypoxic placentas. Enhanced insulin like growth factor 2 signalling is observed in hypoxic placentas. Hypoxic placentas undergo significant functional adaptations for energy balance.

Neural Activity for Uninvolved Knee Motor Control After ACL Reconstruction Differs from Healthy Controls

Recovery from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) induces bilateral functional and physiological adaptations. Neurophysiologic measures of motor control have focused on the involved knee joint, limiting understanding regarding the extent of bilateral neural adaptations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate differences in neural activity during uninvolved-limb motor control after ACLR compared to healthy controls. Methods: Fifteen participants with left ACLR (8 female and 7 male, 21.53 ± 2.7 years, 173.22 ± 10.0 cm, 72.15 ± 16.1 kg, Tegner 7.40 ± 1.1, 43.33 ± 33.1 mo. post-surgery, 2 patellar tendon, and 13 hamstring) and 15 matched controls (8 female, 23.33 ± 2.7 years, 174.92 ± 9.7 cm, 72.14 ± 15.4 kg, Tegner 7.33 ± 1.0) participated. Neural activity was evaluated using functional magnetic resonance imaging on a 3T Siemens Magnetom scanner during four 30-s cycles of a right (uninvolved) knee flexion-extension task paced with a metronome (1.2 Hz) and was completed interspersed with 30 s of rest. A significance threshold of p &lt; 0.05 was used for all analyses, cluster corrected for multiple comparisons, and z-thresholds of &gt;3.1 (subject level), and &gt;2.3 (group level). Results: The ACLR group had greater neural activity in one statistically significant cluster corresponding to the left middle frontal gyrus (MFG) (834 voxels, z = 3.81, p &lt; 0.01 multiple comparisons corrected) compared to controls. Conclusions: These data indicate a potential contribution to uninvolved-knee neuromuscular deficits after injury and support the limitations of using the uninvolved side as a clinical reference. Uninvolved knee motor control after ACLR may require greater cognitive demand. Clinicians should be aware that the uninvolved limb might also demonstrate whole brain alterations limiting clinical inference from functional symmetry.

Quantitative assessment of the academic adaptability of first-year students of higher education institutions

The article analyzes the factors that cause educational stress, the prerequisites for the formation of the ability of first-year students to adapt to the educational process and its importance in the formation of future specialists, identifies predictive markers of educational adaptation and resistance to educational stress, reveals gender-specific features of the body's adaptation to stresses, including those related to education. It is shown that the process of adaptation to the educational process has a biopsychosocial nature, identifies predictive markers of educational adaptation and resistance to educational stress. An integral assessment of students' educational adaptability is proposed based on indicators of psychosocial adaptability of the individual and the functional potential of the body. The scale for assessing the integral indicator of students' educational adaptability is modified based on the sum of points for indicators of psychosocial adaptability (P. Kuznetsov's questionnaire) and adaptive capabilities of the cardiovascular system of the body (R. Baievskyi method). The psychophysiological prerequisites of the adaptive reactions of the body of first-year students to the educational process were studied. It was established that the female body is more resistant to physiological stresses due to a higher level of vitality, however, the course and symptoms of psycho-emotional stress, adaptation to new conditions in men are easier due to lower emotional lability, higher balance and self-regulation. It was confirmed that the level of social adaptability in young men is higher, and the level of functional adaptability is lower than in girls. At the same time, it was recorded that almost every fifth young man and every third girl have a low level of the integral indicator of educational adaptability. Quantitative assessment of students' integral educational adaptability will allow for the differentiation of the parameters of motor loads in the educational process of physical education in order to increase the psychofunctional resources of the body of student youth.

Impact of Sex on Cardiac Functional Adaptation to Different Modes of Exercise Training: A Randomized Cross-Over Study.

We hypothesized that male and female volunteers would exhibit distinct changes in cardiac morphology, systolic, and diastolic function following endurance (END) and resistance (RES) training. Thirty-eight females and 26 males participated in a randomized cross-over design trial in which all participants completed 12-weeks END and RES, separated by a 12-week washout. Echocardiograms assessed morphology (left ventricular mass, LVM), systolic function (ejection fraction, EF, and global longitudinal strain, GLS), diastolic function (mitral valve velocities, E, A; tissue Doppler velocities, e', a'), and left atrial volume. Males responded to RES by increasing LVM (Δ 9.1 ± 14.3 g, P = 0.005), while E/e' increased (Δ 0.74 ± 1.08, P = 0.004, indicating a decline in diastolic function). There were no significant changes in females following RES. In response to END, LVM increased in both males (Δ 8.8 ± 15.7 g, P = 0.008) and females (Δ 6.5 ± 12.5 g, P = 0.004), with no difference in E/e' (Δ -0.29 ± 0.90) in males but a significant difference in females (Δ -0.39 ± 1.06, P = 0.012, indicating an improvement in diastolic function). Systolic function was not impacted significantly by END or RES in either sex. Our data suggests that females were less responsive to RES training than males, that RES increased LVM and caused a decline in diastolic function (i.e. an increase in E/e') in males, whereas END improved E/e' (i.e. decreased) in females. These data suggest that sex differences exist in cardiac structural and functional adaptations to different forms of exercise training.

Sleeve gastrectomy reveals the plasticity of the human gastric epithelium

Gastrin is secreted following a rise in gastric pH, leading to gastric acid secretion. Sleeve gastrectomy (SG), a bariatric surgery where 80% of the gastric corpus is excised, presents a challenge for gastric pH homeostasis. Using histology, and single-cell RNA sequencing of the gastric epithelium in 12 women, we observed that SG is associated with an increase in a sub-population of acid-secreting parietal cells that overexpress respiratory enzymes and an increase in histamine-secreting enterochromaffin-like cells (ECLs). ECLs of SG-operated patients overexpressed genes coding for biosynthesis of neuropeptides and serotonin. Mathematical modeling showed that pH homeostasis by gastrin is analogous to non-linear proportional and integral control, that drives adaptation of the epithelium to acid-secretion demand. Quantitative model predictions were validated in patients. The results demonstrate human gastric epithelium remodeling following SG at the molecular and cellular levels, and more generally how trophic hormones enable robust adaptation of tissue function to meet physiological demand.

In-silico study of molecular adaptations in halophilic Cas9.

This study explores the structural adaptations of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in halophilic bacteria, focusing on Cas9 protein of halophilic bacterium Salicibibacter cibi. Protein sequences were analysed using different tools such as ExPASy ProtParam for different physicochemical properties, PONDR web server for disordered regions, and InterPro server and WebLogo for domains. Protein structures were generated using the AlphaFold database, and the quality of the modelled structure was checked through PROCHECK. The protein surface's amino acids and electrostatic potential were visualized using PyMOL, APBS server and UCSF chimera. Comparative analysis revealed that halophilic Cas9 proteins possess a higher abundance of acidic residues, resulting in enhanced stability and hydration in saline conditions; halophilic Cas9 proteins also shows higher intrinsically disordered regions. Electrostatic potential maps confirmed that S. cibi Cas9 proteins maintain a highly negative surface charge, crucial for adaptation to salt-rich environments. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms driving the structural and functional adaptations of Cas9 in salty environment, highlighting its potential applications in genome editing-based biotechnological approaches in extreme conditions.

Effects of functional strength training on pain, function, and lower extremity biomechanics in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundPatellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common disorder affecting the lower extremity. This study aimed to compare the effects of functional strength training (FST) and standard strength training (SST) in PFPS patients.MethodsForty college students (aged 18–30 years) with PFPS and no exercise habits were randomized into FST group (n = 20) and SST group (n = 20). FST group underwent six weeks of lower extremity training focused on functional adaptations, whereas SST group focus on lower extremity strength training. Function (Kujala Patellofemoral Scale, KPS), pain (visual analog scale, VAS), peak joint angles of hip, knee, and ankle, along with muscle activation (step-down test) of Vastus medialis, Vastus lateralis, Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus, Gluteus maximus, and Gluteus medius were assessed at baseline and after intervention.ResultsFST outperformed SST in pain reduction (p = 0.026) and function (p = 0.006) post-intervention. The FST group also showed increased hip flexion (p < 0.001), gluteus maximus activation (p < 0.001), and reduced knee valgus (p = 0.032), while SST group exhibited greater knee flexion (p = 0.008), and higher activation of the lateral femoral (p < 0.001) and semitendinosus (p < 0.001).ConclusionInterventions focused on functional adaptations result in differential kinematic and muscle activation changes that may result in greater improvements in pain and knee function than lower limb muscle strengthening alone.Trial registrationchictr.org.cn. NO: ChiCTR2400087664. Date 01/08/2024.

Different whole body HIIT protocols do not promote different muscle thickness and functional adaptations among healthy physically active subjects

IntroductionDespite robust evidence on the benefits of high intensity interval training using body weight (WB-HIIT), the effects of different training configurations on morpho-functional adaptations are still unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effects of two distinct WB-HIIT protocols on morphological and general fitness adaptations in healthy active young individuals.MethodsThirty-four participants (22 males and 12 females) were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 30 s of all-out effort interspersed with 10 s of passive recovery (G30 × 10, n = 17) or 40 s of an all-out effort interspersed with 20 s of passive recovery (G40 × 20, n = 17). Nine exercises were performed for both protocols, in two weekly sessions, during a 6-week intervention period. Morphological (ultrasound-derived muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis [MTVL]) and general fitness (muscle endurance and maximal oxygen consumption) assessments were performed at pre- and post-intervention moments.ResultsBoth training protocols elicited significant improvements in all dependent variables (p &amp;lt; 0.05), with no significant between-group differences.ConclusionRegardless of the training configuration, both WB-HIIT programs serve as time-efficient strategies to induce changes in muscle thickness of the vastus lateralis and functional adaptations in healthy, physically active young individuals.

Seeking continuities and discontinuities in the European policy agenda(s) for adult learning – Reflections on purposes and governance

This article focus on what is and isn’t ‘new’ in the most recent European Union (EU) key policy document for Adult Learning (AL), because it claims (in its own title) that it will constitute a basis for a ‘new’ agenda. As this document has been much disseminated to Member States, we think it is important to analyse its evidence of the ‘new’ determined by comparing the 2021 Council Resolution [the ‘New European Agenda for Adult Learning 2021–2030’ (CEU, 2021)] with the two other previous EU’s key policy documents for AL [the ‘Renewed European Agenda for Adult Learning’ (CEU, 2011) and the ‘Adult Learning: It is Never too Late to Learn’ (CEC, 2006)]. By highlighting how the discourse of the ‘new' is used in the European policy agenda(s) we expect to give an interesting contribution for the actors that, in each country, are looking for policy implementation beyond rhetoric statements. From this analytical angle, we use an adult education policy discourse analytical model as a theoretical framework to seek for continuities and discontinuities in purposes and governance of AL in the EU. Thus, we seek the policy approach and educational rationale supporting what is claimed by the Commission of the EU to be explicitly ‘new’ in the most recent AL key policy document (which has significantly been entitled ‘The New European Agenda for Adult Learning 2021–2030’). The core results of a comparison focussed on the educational aims, vision and policy purposes as well as main governance mechanisms of these three key documents, suggest that the ‘new’ in the CEU (2021) document (also known in the literature as the NEAAL 2030) is not really ‘new’. Instead, the recent document reflects and maintains trends within previous rationale dating from 2006 and 2011, with policy priorities rooted in the logic of human resources management, as well as governance trends based on multilevel coordination at the European level. Here, the modernising trend toward a framework of control and standardisation, according to our theoretical model, seems to have gained momentum as a political rationale over the last 15 years. We argue those set of major continuities were, indeed, assisted by the discursive power of the ‘new’, which is a hyperbole favourable to the political purpose of disseminating an educational rationale of functional adaptation whose AL guidelines can influence the national policy implementation in the current contexts of Europeanisation.

Biomechanical assistance for basketball training movements based on cross-domain EEG physical fitness classification

Cross-domain EEG signals offer valuable insights into the cortical neuron activity patterns and the functional dynamics of the central nervous system (CNS). Within the framework of biomechanics, EEG has emerged as a critical tool to investigate the interplay between neural control and physical performance. This study explores EEG complexity parameters in specific brain regions of 24 elite athletes under three distinct states: Rest, unloaded exercise, and loaded exercise. By integrating biomechanical and electrophysiological analyses, the study uncovers functional adaptations in the parietal and occipital regions, key centers for somatosensory and visual processing, respectively, in high-performance athletes. The findings reveal no significant gender differences in EEG complexity under these conditions, but highlight the effects of long-term specialized training in enhancing CNS adaptability. This adaptation is reflected in a reduced reliance on visual input, a trait distinguishing elite athletes from non-athletes. Despite the small sample size, correlations between three nonlinear EEG parameters—maximum Lyapunov exponent, approximate entropy, and Lempel-Ziv complexity—and CNS fatigue were observed. These parameters provide a robust framework for monitoring CNS fatigue and assessing the effects of exercise on neural function. This study bridges biomechanics and neural analysis, offering a novel perspective on CNS functionality under varying exercise states. The results contribute a theoretical foundation for the development of biomechanical guidance systems tailored for basketball training, with implications for optimizing athletic performance and promoting CNS health.