Changes In Activity Profiles Research Articles

Physical demands and technical performance in Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) competition match-play

ObjectivesTo compare positional differences in the physical and technical demands of Australian Football League Women’s (AFLW) match-play. A secondary aim was to examine the time course changes in activity profiles during AFLW match-play. DesignLongitudinal observational study. MethodsGlobal positioning system data were collected from 26 players (6 positional groups) from the same club during seven AFLW matches. Absolute and relative physical performance data were categorised into total distance, high-speed running (>14.4kmh−1, HSR), very high-speed running (>18.0kmh−1, VHSR), and sprinting distance (>20.0kmh−1, Sprint). Technical performance data was obtained from a commercial statistics provider. A mixed model analysis was used to examine differences between positional groups and playing quarters. ResultsAbsolute measures of running performance did not differ between position groups. Relative total distance was moderately greater (ES=∼0.80, p<0.05) for midfielders, small backs and small forwards (125–128mmin−1) than tall backs and tall forwards (102–107mmin−1). Relative HSR distance was greater (ES=∼0.73) for midfielders and small backs (∼28mmin−1) than tall backs (17mmin−1). Analysis of technical performance indicators showed: midfielders and small forwards had the most inside 50s; tall backs had the highest number of rebound 50s; tall forwards scored more goals; while midfielders made more tackles (p<0.05). All relative running performance measures were reduced in the fourth quarter when compared to the first and second quarters (ES=0.32–0.77). ConclusionsThese data can be used as benchmarks for temporal analysis of AFLW match demands and assist in developing specific training strategies.

Lysine Deacetylases Exhibit Distinct Changes in Activity Profiles Due to Fluorophore Conjugation of Substrates.

Lysine deacetylases (KDACs) are enzymes that reverse the post-translational modification of lysine acetylation. Thousands of potential substrates, acetylated protein sequences, have been identified in mammalian cells. Properly regulated acetylation and deacetylation have been linked to many biological processes, while aberrant KDAC activity has also been linked to numerous diseases. Commercially available peptide substrates that are conjugated to fluorescent dye molecules, such as 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin (AMC), are commonly used to monitor deacetylation in studies addressing both substrate specificity and small molecule modulators of activity. Here, we have compared the activity of several KDACs, representing all major classes of KDACs, with substrates in the presence and absence of AMC as well as peptides for which tryptophan has been substituted for AMC. Our results unequivocally demonstrate that AMC has a significant effect on activity for all KDACs tested. Furthermore, in neither the nature of the effect nor the magnitude is consistent across KDACs, making it impossible to predict the effect of AMC on a particular enzyme-substrate pair. AMC did not affect acetyllysine preference in a multiply acetylated substrate. In contrast, AMC significantly enhanced KDAC6 substrate affinity, greatly reduced Sirt1 activity, eliminated the substrate sequence specificity of KDAC4, and had no consistent effect with KDAC8 substrates. These results indicate that profiling of KDAC activity with labeled peptides is unlikely to produce biologically relevant data.

Correction: Corrigendum: Deleterious effect of suboptimal diet on rest-activity cycle in Anastrepha ludens manifests itself with age

Activity patterns and sleep-wake cycles are among the physiological processes that change most prominently as animals age, and are often good indicators of healthspan. In this study, we used the video-based high-resolution Behavioral Monitoring System (BMS) to monitor the daily activity cycle of tephritid fruit flies Anastrepha ludens over their lifetime. Surprisingly, there was no dramatic change in activity profile with respect to age if flies were consistently fed with a nutritionally balanced diet. However, if flies were fed with sugar-only diet, their activity profile decreased in amplitude at old age, suggesting that suboptimal diet affected activity patterns, and its detrimental effect may not manifest itself until the animal ages. Moreover, by simulating different modes of behavior monitoring with a range of resolution and comparing the resulting conclusions, we confirmed the superior performance of video-based monitoring using high-resolution BMS in accurately representing activity patterns in an insect model.

Deleterious effect of suboptimal diet on rest-activity cycle in Anastrepha ludens manifests itself with age

Activity patterns and sleep-wake cycles are among the physiological processes that change most prominently as animals age, and are often good indicators of healthspan. In this study, we used the video-based high-resolution Behavioral Monitoring System (BMS) to monitor the daily activity cycle of tephritid fruit flies Anastrepha ludens over their lifetime. Surprisingly, there was no dramatic change in activity profile with respect to age if flies were consistently fed with a nutritionally balanced diet. However, if flies were fed with sugar-only diet, their activity profile decreased in amplitude at old age, suggesting that suboptimal diet affected activity patterns, and its detrimental effect may not manifest itself until the animal ages. Moreover, by simulating different modes of behavior monitoring with a range of resolution and comparing the resulting conclusions, we confirmed the superior performance of video-based monitoring using high-resolution BMS in accurately representing activity patterns in an insect model.

Postnatal developmental changes in activation profiles of the respiratory neuronal network in the rat ventral medulla

Two putative respiratory rhythm generators (RRGs), the para-facial respiratory group (pFRG) and the pre-Bötzinger complex (preBötC), have been identified in the neonatal rodent brainstem. To elucidate their functional roles during the neonatal period, we evaluated developmental changes of these RRGs by optical imaging using a voltage-sensitive dye. Optical signals, recorded from the ventral medulla of brainstem-spinal cord preparations of neonatal (P0-P4) rats (n = 44), were analysed by a cross correlation method. With development during the first few postnatal days, the respiratory-related activity in the pFRG reduced and shifted from a preinspiratory (P0-P1) to an inspiratory (P2-P4) pattern, whereas preBötC activity remained unchanged. The mu-opioid agonist [D-Ala(2),N-Me-Phe(4),Gly(5)-ol]-enkephalin (DAMGO) augmented preinspiratory activity in the pFRG, while the mu-opioid antagonist naloxone induced changes in spatiotemporal activation profiles that closely mimicked the developmental changes. These results are consistent with the recently proposed hypothesis by Janczewski and Feldman that the pFRG is activated to compensate for the depression of the preBötC by perinatal opiate surge. We conclude that significant reorganization of the respiratory neuronal network, characterized by a reduction of preinspiratory activity in the pFRG, occurs at P1-P2 in rats. The changes in spatiotemporal activation profiles of the pFRG neurones may reflect changes in the mode of coupling of the two respiratory rhythm generators.

Phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase isoforms and their different roles in spinal cord dorsal horn and primary somatosensory cortex

The present study was undertaken to investigate whether isoforms of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK 46 kDa and 54 kDa), one component of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, might show region-related differential activation patterns in both naïve and pain-experiencing rats. In naïve rats, no significant difference was observed in total expression level of the two JNK isoforms between spinal cord and primary somatosensory cortex (S1 area). However, phosphorylated JNK 46 kDa was normally expressed in the S1 area, but not in the spinal cord, while neither of the two structures contained phosphorylated JNK 54 kDa. Subcutaneous bee venom (BV)-induced persistent pain stimulation resulted in a significant increase in the phosphorylation of both JNK isoforms in each area for a long period (lasting at least 48 h). Nevertheless, JNK 46 kDa exhibited a much higher activation than JNK 54 kDa in the spinal cord, whereas the same noxious stimulation elicited evident activation of JNK 54 kDa in the S1 area, leaving JNK 46 kDa less affected. Intraplantar injection of sterile saline solution, causing acute and transient pain, produced almost the same changes in activation profile of the two JNK isoforms as found in the BV-treated rats. These results implicate that individual members of the JNK family may be associated with specific regions of nociceptive processing. Also, the two JNK isoforms are supposed to function differently according to their locations within the rat central nervous system.

Effect of N-linked glycosylation on the aspartic proteinase porcine pepsin expressed from Pichia pastoris.

A study was undertaken to examine the effects of N-linked glycosylation on the structure-function of porcine pepsin. The N-linked motif was incorporated into four sites (two on the N-terminal domain and two on the C-terminal domain), and the recombinant protein expressed using Pichia pastoris. All four N-linked recombinants exhibited similar secondary and tertiary structure to nonglycosylated pepsin, that is, wild type. Similar K(m) values were observed, but catalytic efficiencies were approximately one-third for all mutants compared with the wild type; however, substrate specificity was not altered. Activation of pepsinogen to pepsin occurred between pH 1.0 to 4.0 for wild-type pepsin, whereas the glycosylated recombinants activated over a wider range, pH 1.0 to 6.0. Glycosylation on the C-terminal domain exhibited similar pH activity profiles to nonglycosylated pepsin, and glycosylation on the N-domain resulted in a change in activity profile. Overall, glycosylation on the C-domain led to a more global stabilization of the structure, which translated into enzymatic stability, whereas on the N-domain, an increase in structural stability had little effect on enzymatic stability. Finally, glycosylation on the flexible loop region also appeared to increase the overall structural stability of the protein compared with wild type. It is postulated that the presence of the carbohydrate residues added rigidity to the protein structure by reducing conformational mobility of the protein, thereby increasing the structural stability of the protein.

Possible role of isoaspartyl methyltransferase towards regulation of acid trehalase activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Logarithmically growing cells of S. cerevisiae contained high neutral trehalase (NT) activity while stationary-phase cells had high acid trehalase (AT) activity. Change in activity profile of AT and NT were different during growth under different conditions, particularly during growth in acetate medium and up to 1 h of germination period, but that for AT and isoaspartyl methyltransferase (IMT) were found to be almost identical. Concomitant increase in NT activity as well as increase in cAMP level was noticed at the onset of spore germination. Increase in AT and IMT activities as well as decrease in S-adenosyl- l-methionine (AdoMet) level were noticed during stationary phase of growth. Acidic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subsequent autoradiography revealed that substrate of IMT was a protein of molar mass around 82 kDa which could be an AT. Methylated AT was found to be more active while non-methylated AT was relatively less active in comparison to the untreated sample. Since AT existed as an equilibrium mixture of protomer and oligomer, it was suggested that IMT catalysed carboxyl methylation might have some contribution towards the regulation of AT activity.

In vivo pharmacological profile of 9‐hydroxyrisperidone, the major metabolite of the novel antipsychotic risperidone

Abstract9‐Hydroxyrisperidone (9OH‐risperidone) is the major metabolite of the new antipsychotic risperidone. 9OH‐risperidone was compared with risperidone in a series of pharmacological tests in rats; ritanserin and haloperidol were included as reference compounds in tests for 5HT2 and D2 antagonism, respectively. 9OH‐risperidone closely resembled risperidone and showed similar effects at closely related doses (respective subcutaneous [sc] ED50s in mg/kg in parentheses): 5HT2 antagonism: reversal of tryptamine cyanosis (0.00059/0.0011), inhibition and blockade of tryptamine seizures (0.032/0.014 and 0.11/0.056), inhibition of tryptamine tremors (0.34/0.049), inhibition and blockade of mescaline head twitches (0.056/0.037 and 0.098/0.049); D2 antagonism: inhibition and blockade of apomorphine behavior (0.34/0.22 and 4.1/1.2), inhibition and blockade of amphetamine agitation (0.15/0.056 and 0.51/0.59) and oxygen consumption (0.049/0.016 and 0.17/0.64), behavioral disinhibition (0.069/0.31) and depression (4.6/4.7) in amphetaminized rats; histamine H1 antagonism: protection from compound 48/80 lethality (0.018/0.014); α1‐adrenoceptor antagonism: protection from norepinephrine lethality (0.17/0.074); α2‐adrenoceptor antagonism: reversal of clonidine's antidiarrheal effect (0.29/0.67), reversal of xylazine loss of righting (16/2.4); and behavioral effects: slight and pronounced catalepsy (2.0/0.59 and 3.6/3.0), slight and pronounced palpebral ptosis (0.30/0.19 and 2.0/0.89), muscular hypotonia (4.7/3.6), hypothermia (4.1/2.0), inhibition of acetic acid writhing (1.2/0.34), and depression of motor activity (0.13/0.062 for vertical, 0.49/0.18 for horizontal, and 5.0/2.8 for total movements). Up to 10 mg/kg, both compounds were devoid of anti‐muscarinic and anti‐nicotinic activity, failed to affect the lethal effects of KCN, nitrogen, BaCl2 and ouabain, and did not block castor oil diarrhea. The acute oral LD50 values of the compounds were comparable. Both 9OH‐risperidone and risperidone differed markedly from haloperidol as indicated by: (1) predominant central 5HT2 antagonism (comparable to that of ritanserin); (2) high doses of catalepsy; (3) gradual depression of motor activity; (4) pronounced behavioral disinhibitory effects in amphetaminized rats; (5) inhibition of amphetamineinduced oxygen consumption preceding inhibition of amphetamine agitation. As metabolic conversion of risperidone to 9OH‐risperidone does apparently not result in any marked change in activity profile, its major consequence seems to be a prolongation of duration of action. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Age-related development profiles of the antioxidative defense system and the peroxidative status of the pig heart.

The developmental profiles of the antioxidative defense system and the peroxidative status of the heart during growth and development were studied in pigs of three different age groups. A unique age-specific myocardial lipid peroxidation expressed in terms of malonaldehyde formation occurred after incubation of neonatal and adult pig heart homogenates in the absence of any added factors. Very little malonaldehyde release was noticed in the 0- to 2-day age group, while considerably higher activity was found in the 8- to 10-day-old animals. The 2-month-old pig heart again formed very little malonaldehyde. Myocardial injury from lipid peroxidation was highest in the 0- to 2-day age group, as evidenced by the release of oxidized glutathione, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) activities. Release of glutathione, LDH and CK decreased with age and was minimal in the adult group. The antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase, increased during the first 10 days of neonatal growth and then levelled off. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was present in appreciably lower amounts in adult hearts compared to neonatal hearts. Heart weight increased with aging, but myocardial water content decreased. Protein and DNA contents of hearts increased with age, such that the protein/DNA ratio almost doubled from the newborn to adult age. The results indicate that the newborn pig hearts are equipped with the antioxidative defense system, which undergoes significant development during the initial phase of neonatal growth and does not change appreciably thereafter. The results further suggest that the change in activity profile with aging is different for different enzymes, and the peroxidative status of the myocardium is not a function of these enzyme activities.

Compensatory social responses of older pigtailed monkeys to maternal separation.

Thirteen 3-5-year-old pigtailed monkeys were subjected to five 2-hr maternal separations while remaining in their normal social group. Significant changes in activity profiles were noted during separation and reunion phases. This suggests the continued social dependence of older offspring upon the matriarch. The shift in social activities reflected attempts by the juvenile and adolescent subjects to compensate for maternal absence by intensification of other affiliative social behavior and avoidance of potentially socially disruptive situation. The subjects oriented more towards kin in the absence of the matriarch, but actual time with kin decreased. Upon the return of the matriarch, the intensified some responses depressed during her absence and returned to preseparation social relationships. Play and aggressive responses declined whereas social approaches increased during maternal absences. Submissive responses declined upon the return of the matriarch, and play increased. The subjects also showed a marked, temporary increase of direct interaction, largely sniffing and grooming, with the matriarch upon her return.

Behavioral changes produced in the cat by acute and chronic morphine injection and naloxone precipitated withdrawal

To address the issue of feline manic responses to morphine, studies were designed to examine the effects of low doses of intravenous morphine on cat behavior with emphasis placed on motor activity changes. An adaptation of an existing scoring system was used in an effort to quantify and describe behavioral patterns or shifts in activity patterns occurring during a cycle of addiction. The acute administration of 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg of morphine induces a response pattern characterized by sitting with fixed staring. An increase in motor activity with dose was also observed. When naloxone was administered prior to morphine injection all behavioral changes normally elicited by morphine were blocked completely. After 7 days of daily morphine injections certain changes in activity profiles occurred, indicating that some degree of tolerance although not complete, was beginning to occur by this time. Naloxone administered to cats maintained for 12 days on 1, 2 or 4 mg/kg/day consistently produced a number of withdrawal signs including wet-dog shakes and a catatonic-like posturing. This is the first report describing behavioral responses of the cat during a complete cycle addiction to low doses of morphine. We not only found that morphine will elicit definite quantifiable changes in behavior in the absence of any feline mania but that cats become readily dependent on these low doses of morphine as evidenced by a characteristic naloxone precipitated withdrawal syndrome.