CIT Group Research Articles

Dietary sodium citrate supplementation enhances rehydration and recovery from rapid body mass loss in trained wrestlers

This study assessed the effects of dietary sodium citrate supplementation during a 16 h recovery from 5% rapid body mass loss (RBML) on physiological functions, affective state, and performance in trained wrestlers. Sixteen wrestlers performed an upper body intermittent sprint performance (UBISP) test under three conditions: before RBML, after RBML, and after a 16 h recovery from RBML. During recovery, the subjects ate a prescribed diet supplemented with sodium citrate (600 mg·kg(-1); CIT group, N = 8) or placebo (PLC group, N = 8) and drank water ad libitum. RBML reduced (p < 0.05) UBISP mean power and increased urine specific gravity (USG). Reduction in mean power was associated with changes in plasma volume (PV) (r = 0.649, p = 0.006) and USG (r = -0.553, p = 0.026). During the 16 h recovery, increases in body mass (BM) and PV were greater (p < 0.05) in the CIT group than in the PLC group. BM gain was associated with water retention in the CIT group (r = 0.899, p = 0.002) but not in the PLC group (r = 0.335, p = 0.417). Blood pH, HCO(3)(-) concentration, and base excess increased (p < 0.05) only in the CIT group. Changes in UBISP, general negative affect, and general positive affect did not differ in the two groups. In conclusion, ingestion of sodium citrate increases blood buffering capacity and PV and stimulates BM regain during a 16 h recovery from RBML in trained wrestlers. However, sodium citrate does not improve UBISP nor does it have an impact on the affective state.

Activations of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases and Regulation of Their Downstream Molecules After Rat Lung Transplantation from Donors After Cardiac Death

Objectives Accepting organs donated after cardiac death (DCD) is an effective approach to the donor shortage. However, lung transplantations from DCD donors show severe rapid pulmonary graft dysfunction (PGD) followed by warm ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). This study sought to clarify the molecular mediators in warm IRI, including activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and the downstream cascades. Methods We performed single left lung transplantation using organs from male Sprague-Dawley rats after 0 (CIT group), 30 (30WIT group), or 180 (180WIT group) minutes of warm ischemia time. Pulmonary graft functions were estimated by blood gas analysis. At 1 hour after reperfusion, the phosphorylation status of MAPKs (ERK, p38, and JNK) and the gene expression levels of transcription factors (Egr-1 and ATF-3) and immune mediators (MCP-1, MIP-2, PAI-1, ICAM-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2) in the grafts were examined using Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction assays. Results Severe PGD was observed in the 180WIT group compared with transplanted lungs in the other groups, which exhibited good pulmonary graft function. ERK and JNK activations, as well as mRNA levels of transcription factors (Egr-1 and ATF3) significantly increased with greater warm ischemic times. The pattern of JNK activation correlated with the severity of PGD. MCP-1, ICAM-1, IL-1β, IL-6, and COX-2 were also up-regulated among the 180WIT group, although MIP-2 and PAI-1 showed no significant differences among the groups. Conclusions We suggest that the ERK and JNK pathways may play important roles to induce the injury caused by prolonged warm ischemia followed by reperfusion in the setting of lung transplantation from DCD donors.

CMY-2-type plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamases emerging in Tucumán, Argentina

In the last years, Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli, have acquired resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (C3G) because of the presence of plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamases. The aim of this work was to detect plasmid AmpC enzymes and to investigate the predominant types in our region. Between March and July 2009, 733 consecutive isolates of Enterobacteriaceae derived from hospitals and outpatient centers were studied. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion; one P. mirabilis and three E. coli strains showed resistance to cephamycins (cefoxitin) and C3G. An E-test to determine MIC and a synergy test by aminophenylboronic disks were performed. Enzymatic activity against cefoxitin was confirmed by a microbiological assay. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of plasmid-mediated ampC genes of different groups was performed and a 462-bp amplicon was obtained when using primers directed against the CIT group; the obtained sequences were compared to blaCMY-2 sequences, showing 100% identity. The emergence of CMY-2-type plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamases indicated the importance of implementing systematic monitoring of these resistances to avoid potential clinical and epidemiological consequences.

Effects of maternal l-citrulline supplementation on renal function and blood pressure in offspring exposed to maternal caloric restriction: The impact of nitric oxide pathway

Maternal undernutrition can cause reduced nephron number and glomerular hypertrophy, consequently leading to adult kidney disease. We intended to elucidate whether NO deficiency evolves to kidney disease vulnerability in offspring from mothers with caloric restriction diets and whether maternal l-citrulline ( l-Cit) supplementation can prevent this. Using a rat model with 50% caloric restriction, four groups of 3-month-old male offspring were sacrificed to determine their renal outcome: control, caloric restriction (CR), control treated with 0.25% l-citrulline solution during the whole period of pregnancy and lactation (Cit), and CR treated in the same way (CR + Cit group). The CR group had low nephron numbers, increased glomerular diameter, and an increased plasma creatinine level compared with the control group. Maternal l-Cit supplementation prevented these effects. The CR + Cit and Cit groups developed hypertension beginning at 4 and 8 weeks of age, respectively. Plasma asymmetric and symmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA and SDMA) levels were increased, but l-arginine/ADMA ratios (AAR) were decreased in the CR group vs the control group. This was prevented by maternal l-Cit supplementation. Renal cortical neuronal NOS-α (nNOSα) protein abundance was significantly decreased in the Cit and CR + Cit groups. Collectively, reduced nephron number, reduced renal nNOSα expression, increased ADMA, and decreased AAR contribute to the developmental programming of adult kidney disease and hypertension. Although maternal l-Cit supplementation prevents caloric restriction-induced low nephron number and renal dysfunction, it also induces hypertension.

Very Early Constraint-Induced Movement during Stroke Rehabilitation (VECTORS)

Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) is among the most developed training approaches for motor restoration of the upper extremity (UE). Very Early Constraint-Induced Movement during Stroke Rehabilitation (VECTORS) was a single-blind phase II trial of CIMT during acute inpatient rehabilitation comparing traditional UE therapy with dose-matched and high-intensity CIMT protocols. Participants were adaptively randomized on rehabilitation admission, and received 2 weeks of study-related treatments. The primary endpoint was the total Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) score on the more affected side at 90 days after stroke onset. A mixed model analysis was performed. A total of 52 participants (mean age 63.9 +/- 14 years) were randomized 9.65 +/- 4.5 days after onset. Mean NIHSS was 5.3 +/- 1.8; mean total ARAT score was 22.5 +/- 15.6; 77% had ischemic stroke. Groups were equivalent at baseline on all randomization variables. As expected, all groups improved with time on the total ARAT score. There was a significant time x group interaction (F = 3.1, p < 0.01), such that the high intensity CIT group had significantly less improvement at day 90. No significant differences were found between the dose-matched CIMT and control groups at day 90. MRI of a subsample showed no evidence of activity-dependent lesion enlargement. Constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) was equally as effective but not superior to an equal dose of traditional therapy during inpatient stroke rehabilitation. Higher intensity CIMT resulted in less motor improvement at 90 days, indicating an inverse dose-response relationship. Motor intervention trials should control for dose, and higher doses of motor training cannot be assumed to be more beneficial, particularly early after stroke.

International American Bank

This case and its companion, the CIT Group (UVA-QA-0530) can be used as part of a module on the creation of mutual value. If the negotiators go beyond an arms-length approach to their relationship, they can create considerable value by relieving constraints and including additional issues. The cases can be used to illustrate the value of strategic alliances. Excerpt UVA-QA-0531 INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN BANK As Kelly Ebersol put down the phone, she relished the thought that on some days things seemed to go well and that an easy solution to a problem in one of her divisions might have just come her way. The price that her friend Jim Daley at the CIT Group had given her was a little high, but the leases that were being offered fit very nicely into the portfolio she was trying to enhance. As senior vice president, Capital Markets Group of International American Bank (IAB), Ebersol had among her responsibilities the Small Ticket division, a relatively new member of the Capital Markets Group. Small Ticket focused on equipment leases in the range of $ 25,000 to $ 200,000. Unfortunately, the division was struggling—its performance had been lagging since its inception, falling further and further behind plan. Volumes and revenues were below targets and, as a result, the division's base of fixed costs was not being sufficiently covered. Ebersol planned to improve the division's ratio of loan asset to fixed cost by putting more assets on the division's books. Given the time frame (quarterly financial results were due in just one month), there was no way to push the sales people to write more leases. In fact, they seemed to be at capacity already. She thought that the best solution would be to go out into the marketplace and purchase a pool of assets of sufficient quality to make a contribution to the division's bottom line. For the past several months, Ebersol had been discussing with Merriweather Financial, a small lender for small ticket assets, its acquisition by IAB. The unexpected offer from Daley may have just put the Merriweather deal on the back burner. The Equipment Leasing Industry The U.S. equipment leasing industry was enormous and diverse. In 1997, over 30% of the $ 566.2 billion in capital expenditures for productive assets was done through leasing. Assets ranging from airplanes valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars to industrial machinery valued in the low thousands made up the broad spectrum of leased items. Over 2,000 companies provided leasing services to American businesses, including banks, industrial finance companies, and independent companies. Profitability for the leasing industry was stable with an average return on assets of 1.5% and return on equity of 13.9%. In the world economy, the United States was the clear leader in both the supply of funds for leases and the demand for leasing funds, with a 40% share of the global leasing market. . . .

The Cit Group

The Cit Group

Effects of IRAK-4-shRNA perfused through portal vein in vivo or in vitro on ischemia/reperfusion injury of liver graft in rats

目的 通过观察活体或冷保存期离体门静脉灌注供肝转染白细胞介素-1受体相关激酶-4(IRAK-4)特异短发夹RNA(shRNA)对再灌注后受体TNF-α产生的影响,判断以IRAK-4为肝移植缺血再灌注损害(I/RI)治疗靶点的可行性并探索可行的shRNA治疗途径.方法雄性SD大鼠,随机分为冷缺血转染组、活体转染组、对照组,以两袖套法建立同种异体肝移植模型.冷缺血转染组于冷缺血期经门静脉灌注转染携带染IRAK-4-shRNA的转染质粒pSIIRAK-4;活体转染组在门静脉袖套吻合完成后,经门静脉分支注入pSIIRAK-4;对照组不予任何处理.按门静脉血流恢复后第0 min、60 min及180 min分为三个亚组,逆转录-聚合酶链式反应及蛋白免疫印记法测定肝组织的染IRAK-4 mRNA和蛋白表达水平;酶连免疫吸附法检测肝组织NF-κB活性及血清TNF-α含量.结果再灌注后活体转染组、对照组的IRAK-4蛋白与mRNA表达水平、NF-κB活性以及TNF-α含量均高于冷缺血转染组(P＜0.01);冷缺血转染组的IRAK-4表达明显抑制,再灌注后各时点差异无显著性(P＞0.05).结论以IRAK-4为靶点的冷缺血shRNAs转染途径能有效减轻肝移植时的I/RI,但能否以IRAK-4作为预防其他器官的I/RI的治疗靶点尚需深入研究。

Citrulline modulates muscle protein metabolism in old malnourished rats

Protein energy malnutrition is common in the elderly, especially in hospitalized patients. The development of strategies designed to correct such malnutrition is essential. Our working hypothesis was that poor response to nutrition with advancing age might be related to splanchnic sequestration of amino acids, which implies that fewer amino acids reach the systemic circulation. Administration of citrulline, which is not taken up by the liver, can offer a means of increasing whole body nitrogen availability and, hence, improve nutritional status. Thirty old (19 mo) rats were submitted to dietary restriction (50% of food intake) for 12 wk. They were randomized into three groups: 10 rats (R group) were killed and 20 others refed (90% of food intake) for 1 wk with a standard diet (NEAA group) or a citrulline-supplemented diet (Cit group). Before being killed, the rats were injected with [(13)C]valine, and the absolute protein synthesis rate (ASR) was measured in the tibialis using the flooding-dose method. When the rats were killed, the tibialis was removed for protein content analysis. Blood was sampled for amino acid and insulin analysis. The standard diet did not have any effect on protein synthesis or on the protein content in the muscle. Citrulline supplementation led to higher protein synthesis and protein content in muscle (117 +/- 9, 120 +/- 14, and 163 +/- 4 mg/organ for protein content in R, NEAA, and Cit groups, P < 0.05). The ASR were 0.30 +/- 0.04, 0.31 +/- 0.04, and 0.56 +/- 0.10 mg/h in the three groups, respectively (R and NEAA vs. Cit, P < 0.05). Insulinemia was significantly higher in the Cit group. For the first time, a realistic therapeutic approach is proposed to improve muscle protein content in muscle in frail state related to malnutrition in aging.

The Cit Group

The Cit Group

Evaluation of locally produced caecal coccidiosis vaccine in male Faobro breeders

Mature oocysts of Eimeria tenella have been attenuated by Gemma irradiation 200 and 300 gray. Excystation of occysts were examined. The immunoeffeciency of irradiated oocysts were studied in broiler that vaccinated with 5x10° attenuated oocyst per chick. A total of 1500 day-old Faobro chicks were divided into 6 groups and were treated as follows: Group C: un vaccinated control. Group WF: Given the vaccine in the feed. &#x0D; Group DW: Given the vaccine in drinking water. Group CI: Given the vaccine in the crop. Group SP: Given the as a coarse spray. Group CIT: Given the attenuated vaccine in the crop (300 Gray) at day old and (200 Gray) at 14 days of age. &#x0D; The groups were challenged at 40 days of age with 5x104 viable oocysts of Eimeria tenella per chick. The clinical sings were recorded, the body weight was taken weekly, lesion score, packed cell volume, litter moisture, oocyst count in the litter and oocyst count in the caecal content were determined one week after vaccination, one day before challenge and one week after challenge. The protection ratio and mortality rate were estimated. Results revealed that attenuated oocysts have lost its pathogenicity, no clear clinical sings after vaccination has been recorded, but some chicks of all vaccinated groups show a slight bloody excretion. Some groups given significant increase in body weight in &#x0D; comparison with the control before and after challenge. The protection ratio was 93.5% for WF, 88.8% for DW, 98.3% for CI, 93.1% for SP and 82.2% for &#x0D; The mortality rate was significantly higher in the control than the CIT group. vaccinated groups, the CIT group recorded mortality that was 2.9% the CI and SP recorded 0% and the C group recorded 10% &#x0D; It was concluded that vaccination with all the methods used in this experiment provided good protection against challenge. The spray method was recommended best, then the drinking water and then with feed method.

Nocturnal blood pressure elevation in patients with type 1 diabetes receiving intensive insulin therapy compared with that in patients receiving conventional insulin therapy.

Studies have shown that type 1 diabetic patients may suffer from nocturnal elevation in blood pressure and that this elevation may be related to hyperinsulinemia. In this study we tested the hypothesis that tight type 1 diabetes control, which is usually accompanied by hyperinsulinemia and subclinical nocturnal hypoglycemia, may result in a higher rise in nocturnal blood pressure compared with conventional type 1 diabetes control. Eighteen patients treated with intensive insulin therapy (multiple daily injections; IIT) were compared with 18 patients treated with conventional insulin regimens (twice daily injections of regular and intermediate acting insulin; CIT). Both groups were matched for age, sex, duration of diabetes, body weight, body mass index, baseline daytime blood pressure, and microalbuminuria levels. Hemoglobin A1c was lower in the IIT group compared with that in the CIT group (8.1 +/- 1.2% vs. 11.0 +/- 3.2%; P < 0.01). The amount of insulin/body weight (units per kg) was higher in the IIT group than that in the CIT group (1.0 +/- 0.2 vs. 0.7 +/- 0.2 U/kg; P < 0.05). In all patients, a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure was recorded. The nocturnal diastolic blood pressure was higher in the IIT group (66 +/- 9 mm Hg) than in the CIT group (55 +/- 4 mm Hg; P < 0.01). The nocturnal decline in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure was lower in the IIT group (7 +/- 5 and 6 +/- 4 mm Hg, respectively) compared with that in the CIT group (13 +/- 6 and 16 +/- 6 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.01). The nocturnal heart rate was higher in IIT group than in the CIT group (81 +/- 12 vs. 67 +/- 9/min; P < 0.05). These findings show that the intensive insulin therapy regimen may have a more deleterious effect than the conventional insulin therapy regimen on the nocturnal blood pressure of patients with type 1 diabetes.

Intensive insulin therapy prevents the progression of diabetic microvascular complications in Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: a randomized prospective 6-year study

To examine whether intensive glycemic control could decrease the frequency or severity of diabetic microvascular complications, we performed a prospective study of Japanese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) treated with multiple insulin injection treatment. A total of 110 patients with NIDDM was randomly assigned to multiple insulin injection treatment group (MIT group) or to conventional insulin injection treatment group (CIT group). Fifty-five NIDDM patients who showed no retinopathy and urinary albumin excretions <30 mg/24 h at the baseline were evaluated in the primary-prevention cohort, and the other 55 NIDDM patients who showed simple retinopathy and urinary albumin excretions <300 mg/24 h were evaluated in the secondary-intervention cohort. The appearance and the progression of retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy were evaluated every 6 months over a 6-year period. The worsening of complications in this study was defined as an increase of 2 or more steps in the 19 stages of the modified ETDRS interim scale for retinopathy and an increase of one or more steps in 3 stages (normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria and albuminuria) for nephropathy. The cumulative percentages of the development and the progression in retinopathy after 6 years were 7.7% for the MIT group and 32.0% for the CIT group in the primary-prevention cohort ( P = 0.039), and 19.2% for MIT group and 44.0% for CIT group in the secondary-intervention cohort ( P = 0.049). The cumulative percentages of the development and the progression in nephropathy after 6 years were 7.7% for the MIT group and 28.0% for the CIT group in the primary-prevention cohort ( P = 0.032), and 11.5% and 32.0%, respectively, for the MIT and CIT groups in the secondary-intervention cohort ( P = 0.044). In neurological tests after 6 years, MIT group showed significant improvement in the nerve conduction velocities, while the CIT group showed significant deterioration in the median nerve conduction velocities and vibration threshold. Although both postural hypotension and the coefficient of variation of R-R interval tended to improve in the MIT group, they deteriorated in the CIT group. In conclusion, intensive glycemic control by multiple insulin injection therapy can delay the onset and the progression of diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy in Japanese patients with NIDDM. From this study, the glycemic threshold to prevent the onset and the progression of diabetic microangiopathy is indicated as follows; HbA 1c < 6.5%, FBG < 110 mg/dl, and 2-h post-prandial blood glucose concentration <180 mg/dl.

Still searching for effective criticism inoculation procedures: An example of the value of replication and process analyses in applied sport psychology research

Abstract This study replicated and extended some aspects of the research reported by Kirschenbaum et al. (1984) in which subjects were trained in techniques designed to prevent adverse effects of excessive criticism (Criticism Inoculation Training or CIT). Pseudo-coaches taught undergraduate men (N = 45) the basketball underhand freethrow technique. The pseudo-coaches frequently criticized subjects in 2 of 3 groups: the negative feedback group and the CIT group (negative feedback + CIT training = positive imagery, expectancy enhancement, and positive self-monitoring). The third group was a control group which received no feedback. Measures included accuracy of freethrow shooting (performance) and process measures (e.g., attitudes toward the pseudo-coaches and the technique). Negative feedback was expected to decrease performance and favorableness of attitudes. CIT was expected to enhance performance and attitudes, thereby reducing the adverse effects of excessive criticism. As in the prior study, CIT prov...