Metabolic Rate Research Articles

ERMP1 as a newly identified ER stress gatekeeper in chronic kidney disease.

ERMP1 is involved in the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) pathway in response to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Given the pivotal role of ER stress in the pathogenesis of acute and chronic kidney diseases, we hypothesized that ERMP1 could be instrumental in the development of renal injury. In silico analysis of RNA sequencing datasets from renal biopsies were exploited to assess the expression of ERMP1 in the kidney under normal or pathological conditions. CRISPR-Cas9- mediated heterozygous genetic ablation of the exon 1 of Ermp1 was performed in vivo, followed by histological analysis and assessment of renal injury and ER stress markers in the newly generated Ermp1 knockout mouse model. Additionally, knockdown and overexpression of ERMP1 were conducted in human tubular cells to investigate cell viability, metabolism, the UPR pathway and ER Ca2+ release under these conditions. Our findings from patient datasets showed that ERMP1 is expressed in all renal cell types and is upregulated in chronic kidney disease. Further in silico investigations suggest a role for ERMP1 in renal development. ERMP1 knockout in mice revealed that homozygous loss of ERMP1 expression is lethal, while heterozygous loss exacerbated age-related chronic kidney alteration. In human tubular cells, ERMP1 knockdown decreased viability and metabolic rate, whereas overexpression conferred protection against ER stress. These results highlight the importance of ERMP1 in renal physiology and pathology and suggest that its upregulation could be a protective mechanism against excessive ER stress in renal tubule epithelial cells.

Dietary Intake According to the Evolution of the Resting Metabolic Rate and Body Composition of an Elite Olympic Athlete over a Macrocycle: A Case Study

Monitoring physiological parameters is vital for tracking swimmers’ progress and performance. This study examines an elite male swimmer’s nutrition during his preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, considering his metabolic rate and body composition. His resting energy needs (2905 ± 407.99 kcal/day) were measured using indirect Cosmed K5, calorimetry, and body composition determined through skinfold measurements. Nutrition plans were developed using software, varying with his training intensity—providing 2910 ± 379 kcal/day on rest days, and 4238 ± 562 kcal/day on intense days. The analysis of the correlations between key variables revealed strong and diverse interactions among anthropometric, metabolic data, and energy substrates. Thus, weight exhibited a very strong positive correlation with lean mass (FFM), indicating that higher weight is associated with increased lean mass. Conversely, the moderate correlation between weight and body fat percentage suggests a weaker association. The amount of skin folds accurately reflects the body fat percentage. Ensuring that a high-energy dietary intake aligned with his actual needs throughout the season was crucial for sustaining performance. Experimenting with fueling and recovery tactics during smaller competitions enabled the athlete to meet energy and nutrient demands at the elite level.

Cognitive Impairment in Psychotic Disorders Is Associated with Brain Reductive Stress and Impaired Energy Metabolism as Measured by 31P Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Convergent evidence shows the presence of brain metabolic abnormalities in psychotic disorders. This study examined brain reductive stress and energy metabolism in people with psychotic disorders with impaired or average range cognition. We hypothesized that global cognitive impairment would be associated with greater brain metabolic dysregulation. Participants with affective and non-affective psychosis (n = 62) were administered the MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) and underwent a 31P-magnetic resonance spectroscopy scan at 4T. We used a cluster-analysis approach to identify 2 clusters of participants with and without cognitive dysfunction. We compared clusters on brain redox balance or reductive stress, measured by the ratio of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and its reduced form NADH, in addition to creatine kinase (CK) enzymatic activity and pH. The mean (SD) age of participants was 25.1 (6.3) years. The mean NAD+/NADH ratio differed between groups, with lower NAD+/NADH ratio, suggesting more reductive stress, in the impaired cognitive cluster (t = -2.60, P = .01). There was also a significant reduction in CK activity in the impaired cognitive cluster (t = -2.19, P = .03). Intracellular pH did not differ between the 2 cluster groups (t = 1.31, P = .19). The clusters did not significantly differ on severity of mood and psychotic symptomatology or other measures of illness severity. Our results demonstrate that psychotic disorders with greater cognitive impairment have greater brain metabolic dysregulation, with more reductive stress and decrease in energy metabolic rate markers. This provides new evidence for the potential of emerging metabolic therapies to treat cognitive deficits in psychotic disorders.

Metabolic Scaling: Exploring the Relation Between Metabolic Rate and Body Size.

We present an alternative to the traditional classroom lecture on the topics of metabolic scaling, allometric relationships between metabolic rate (MR) and body size, and reasons for rejecting Rubner''s surface "law," concepts that students have described as challenging, counterintuitive, and/or mathematical. In groups, students work with published data on MR and body size for species representing all five vertebrate groups. To support the exercise, we developed a worksheet that has students define the concept in their own words, compare different measures of MR, and evaluate plots of MR and mass-specific MR versus body mass for both homeotherms and poikilotherms. Students also attempt to explain why selected species have exceptionally high or low MR values for their body sizes. Student feedback indicated active learning is an effective way to learn the concepts of metabolic scaling and allometric relationships and that the opportunity to work in groups with real data stimulates interest and an appreciation for the importance of metabolic scaling to the understanding of animal physiology.

Changes in marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) heart rates suggest reduced metabolism during El Niño events

AbstractMarine iguanas occasionally face severe food shortages because of algal dieback during El Niño events. Research on their adaptations to these periods has highlighted their unique ability to shrink in body length, which reduces their energetic needs. Additional mechanisms, like sustaining lower body temperatures and metabolic rates, could potentially also lower energy consumption, but have never been examined. We measured 665 iguanas over an 11‐year period including three El Niño events, and examined how heart rates (a proxy for metabolic rates) and body temperatures change with sea‐surface temperature oscillations (Oceanic Niño Index, ONI). Heart rate (adjusting for body size, temperature, season, and study site) was negatively correlated with ONI and lower during El Niño, whereas the adjusted body temperature did not correlate with ONI or differ between El Niño and other periods. We therefore hypothesize that marine iguanas can depress their metabolic rates in response to the harsh conditions, an adaptation that is complementary to shrinking and may further enhance their survival through periods of limited food. Direct metabolic measurements are needed to test this hypothesis.

The mediating role of body surface area-adjusted basal metabolic rate: effects of low muscle mass and central obesity on cognitive impairment in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

BackgroundThis study investigates the relationship between basal metabolic rate (BMR), body composition, obesity indices, and cognitive impairment (CI) in middle-aged and older type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, assessing their potential role in CI screening.MethodsA cross-sectional study included 1243 T2DM patients over 45 years old. CI was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. BMR and body composition indices were measured through bioelectrical impedance analysis. The associations and predictions related to CI were explored using multivariable-adjusted logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) models, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Mediation analysis explored the role of BMR adjusted by body surface area (BMR/BSA) in CI risk.ResultsPatients with CI showed significantly lower BMR, BMR adjusted for height squared (BMR/Height²), BMR/BSA, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM), and fat-free mass (FFM), alongside higher waist circumference (WC) and percentage of body fat. Logistic regression showed that participants in the fourth quartile of BMR, BMR/Height2, and BMR/BSA had approximately a 54% reduced risk of CI (odds ratio range 0.457 to 0.463). RCS analysis indicated a linear decrease in CI risk with increasing BMR metrics. ROC analysis indicated high predictive efficacy for CI with combined indicators, particularly BMR and FFM (area under the curve 0.645). Mediation analysis suggested that BMR/BSA played a significant mediating role in WC, ASM and FFM on CI risk, with a mediation proportion ranging from 45.73% to 50.87%.ConclusionLow energy expenditure assessed by BMR/BSA is an independent risk factor for increased CI risk in middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients. Central obesity, low muscle mass, and low energy expenditure significantly elevate CI risk in this population.

The acute effects of exercise-induced energy expenditure on physical activity energy expenditure

<p style="text-align: justify;">Exercise-induced energy expenditure (ExEE) is commonly adopted as a mean to volitional body mass loss. ExEE can also modulate physical activity energy expenditure (PAEE) and potentially limit the rate of body mass loss. The detrimental effect of ExEE on PAEE may be more prevalent in women than in men. This study was to investigate the sex differences in regulation of PAEE and body mass change following an acute exercise-induced perturbation in energy balance. <strong> </strong>In this 3-week study, 4 men and 6 women with body mass index (BMI) of 28.8 ± 2.3 kg/m<sup>2</sup> were required to exercise on a leg ergometer, expending 15% of their total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) in each exercise session of week two (Exercise week). Participants had to complete three exercise sessions within the same week and on non-consecutive days. PAEE was assessed via wrist-worn accelerometers over the entire study period. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and body composition were measured at the beginning of the study. Men had significantly greater stature (p=0.021), body mass (p=0.035) and resting metabolic rate (RMR) (p=0.01) than women. Whereas women body fat % was significantly greater than men (p=0.004). At the end of the study, there was no significant difference body mass % change (p=0.409) and ExEE (p=0.91) between men and women. There was no significant main effect of time for PAEE (p=0.613), or between sex (p=0.470). Three bouts of ExEE performed within the same week did not alter PAEE in men and women with overweight and obesity.</p>

A sexual dimorphism in zebrafish aggression and metabolism under acute ammonia stress.

Animals must adapt their behaviors in response to environmental stressors to enhance survival prospects. Aquatic organisms, particularly teleost fish, face unique environmental challenges, making them ideal models for studying environmental stress adaptation. While previous research on acute environmental stress acclimation provided valuable insights, it often overlooked potential sex-specific responses. Growing evidence suggests significant sexual dimorphism in physiological and behavioral responses to various environmental stressors. This emerging paradigm reveals a critical knowledge gap in our understanding of sex-specific stress acclimation strategies and their underlying mechanisms in teleost fish. To address this gap, we investigated the effects of acute ammonia exposure, a common aquatic stressor, on male and female zebrafish. We examined differential behaviors and metabolic rates between the sexes under ammonia stress and found sex-specific responses: males tended to recover aggression and reduce fighting latency without affecting outcomes, whereas females exhibited lowered oxygen consumption and reduced aggression. These findings highlight differences in acute stress adaptation strategies between males and females, contributing to a more-comprehensive understanding of sex-specific stress adaptation in aquatic environments and underscoring the importance of considering sexual dimorphism in environmental stress studies.

Optimization of international talent training program in biological and biomechanical field of Shaanxi universities by integrating Transformer-GRU model under the “Belt and Road” initiative

In the field of biology of Shaanxi universities, there are problems such as insufficient internationalization of course content, limited internationalization level of teachers, and difficulty in meeting the personalized needs of students’ foreign language ability. To this end, under the Belt and Road Initiative, this paper proposes an intelligent solution based on Transformer and GRU (Gated Recurrent Unit) models, aiming to improve the quality of international education in the field of biology of universities by optimizing course content and teaching methods. This study first uses the Transformer model to integrate and analyze a large number of international education resources, identify global cutting-edge knowledge and cross-cultural education elements in biology courses, including biomechanical principles that underpin biological functions and interactions. This provides scientific support for the optimization of course content. At the same time, the GRU model is used to dynamically analyze the progress of teachers’ international teaching and students’ learning feedback. Just as organisms can adjust their metabolic rate according to the changes in the environment, the model automatically adjusts the pace and difficulty of the subsequent teaching content according to the students’ speed of mastery and difficulties in understanding biomechanics knowledge, ensuring that each student can keep up with the pace of teaching. Additionally, the integration of biomechanical concepts into the curriculum helps students understand the mechanical properties and behaviors of biological systems, fostering interdisciplinary thinking and enhancing their global vision. Experimental results show that the students in Class A who adopt this research program are significantly better than the control Class B in terms of knowledge mastery, interdisciplinary thinking, and global vision (P < 0.05); after the experiment, the average foreign language ability score of the students in Class A is 7.04 points higher than that of Class B; the overall satisfaction of the students in Class A with the new teaching program is as high as 82.5%. This paper, based on the combination of Transformer and GRU models, can effectively promote the international talent training process of biology majors in Shaanxi universities, particularly by incorporating biomechanical insights, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of this major in global academic and scientific research cooperation.

Endocrine Disruptors Chemicals: Impacts of Bisphenol A, Tributyltin and Lead on Thyroid Function.

The large-scale industrial production characteristic of the last century led to an increase in man-made compounds and mobilization of natural compounds, many of which can accumulate in the environment and organisms due to their bioaccumulation and biomagnification properties. The endocrine system is especially vulnerable to these compounds that are known as endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDCs). Thyroid hormones (THs) are essential for normal development and growth, besides being the main regulators of basal metabolic rate. Thus, compounds able to affect THs synthesis, transport, and action could produce important deleterious effects, impacting the development of metabolic and endocrine diseases. Herein, we will review the main effects of EDCs on the thyroid axis, with special emphasis on the widely used substances bisphenol A (BPA), employed in the synthesis of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins; tributyltin (TBT), an organotin chemical substance widely used in several agro-industrial applications; and lead (Pb), a ubiquitous environmental and occupational polluting heavy metal. Exposure to these EDCs occurs mainly from the ingestion of contaminated food and beverages. Furthermore, there are few epidemiological studies evaluating human risk, and experimental studies employ different exposure models, making it difficult to integrate results. However, even low doses of these EDCs warn of thyrotoxicity. Since THs homeostasis is essential for health and humans are increasingly being exposed to EDCs, it is important to clarify which substances might act as thyroid hormone system disrupting chemicals and how they act in order to try to overcome their deleterious effects and limit the exposure to these compounds.

P1214 Too Many Couch Potatoes Among Middle-Aged Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients! Findings From the “BE-FIT-IBD-2” Study on Patient-Reported Physical Activity Levels Examining Their Interactions with IBD-Related Factors and Barriers/Facilitators

Abstract Background Regular physical activity (PA) is desirable, regardless of age, even in patients with chronic conditions such as those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), although this issue has been addressed heterogeneously in this setting, with the absence of clear recommendations to follow. This study aimed to assess PA levels in IBD patients, stratifying them into age groups (with a threshold of 50 years), highlighting differences, including barriers/facilitators to PA. Methods The Italian-validated International PA questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed PA levels regarding resting metabolic rate (Met) in minutes/week. Patients were classified as inactive (< 700 Met min/wk), sufficiently active (700-2500 Met min/wk), or active/HEPA (> 2500 Met min/wk) based on the total score computed from the different types of PA intensities. IBD disease activity was evaluated using patient-reported outcomes 2 (PRO-2). Additionally, a questionnaire was administered to identify factors promoting/hindering regular PA in this setting. Results Among the 237 enrolled patients [median age of 43 (30 - 56) years; 149 (62.9%) below the age of 50 and 88 (37.1%) aged at least 50 years], PA rates were found to differ significantly in terms of patients being sufficiently active (55% vs. 39.8%), inactive (39.6% vs. 59.1%), and engaging in health-enhancing PA (5.4% vs. 1.1%) between patients under and at least 50 years old, respectively (P=0.0002). Overall PA levels followed this trend, being higher in younger patients [892 (446.5 - 1439) vs. 545.25 (257 - 1210.47) Met min/wk, P=0.007]. Being at least 50 predicted physical inactivity (β=1.194, OR: 3.302, 95% CI 1.224 - 8.905, P=0.018). A weak negative correlation was found between age and PA total score for intense activities (□□□□= -0.127, p = 0.049). Disease activity did not impact PA levels (p > 0.05). Patients aged at least 50 years perceived IBD as more of a barrier to PA compared to younger individuals (P=0.04). Bowel urgency is a significant barrier, especially in older patients. The significance patients placed on discussing PA with their IBDologist, on a 10-point Likert scale, was not influenced by age group [6 (4 - 8) vs. 5 (3 - 8), P=0.119]. Figures A-P summarize these results. Conclusion Age is an unmodifiable factor that impacts and influences PA levels. Strategies to recover exercise levels in older IBD patients should be encouraged. References Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Durante T, et al. Inflammatory bowel diseases patients suffer from significant low levels and barriers to physical activity: The "BE-FIT-IBD" study. World J Gastroenterol. 2023;29(41):5668-5682. doi:10.3748/wjg.v29.i41.56682. Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Palladino G, et al. Profiling the patient with inflammatory bowel disease in the relationship between physical activity and partner/social network status: A post hoc patient-tailored analysis of the "BE-FIT-IBD" study. Gastroenterol Hepatol. Published online May 8, 2024:S0210-5705(24)00161-4. doi:10.1016/j.gastrohep.2024.5022033. Craig CL, Marshall AL, Sjöström M, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(8):1381-1395. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000078924.61453.FB

Resting Body Temperature and Long-Term Survival in Older Adults at a Mental Health Center: Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Data

Background/Objectives: Elevated body temperature is a well-established biomarker of infection, increased disease risk, and adverse health outcomes. However, the relationship between resting body temperature and long-term survival in older individuals is complex. Emerging evidence suggests that higher basal body temperature is associated with reduced survival and accelerated aging in non-obese older adults. This study aimed to compare body temperatures across different age groups in hospitalized older adults. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from 367 physically healthy residents of a mental health center. Longitudinal data from 142 individuals (68 men and 74 women), aged 45 to 70 years and monitored continuously over 25 years, were compared with cross-sectional data from 225 individuals (113 men and 112 women) who underwent periodic clinical examinations with temperature measurements. The cross-sectional sample was stratified into four survival categories. Resting oral temperatures were measured under clinical conditions to ensure protocol consistency. Age-related changes in both sexes were evaluated using standard regression analysis, Student’s t-tests, ANOVA, and Generalized Linear Models. Results: Longitudinal analysis revealed an increase in body temperature with age among women, while cross-sectional analysis showed that long-lived residents generally had lower body temperatures compared to their shorter-lived counterparts. Conclusions: These findings support the hypothesis that lower lifetime steady-state body temperature is associated with greater longevity in physically healthy older adults. However, further research is needed to determine whether the lower body temperature observed in long-lived individuals is linked to specific health advantages, such as enhanced immune function, absence of detrimental factors or diseases, or a reduced metabolic rate potentially influenced by caloric restriction.

AI Machine Learning-Based Diabetes Prediction in Older Adults in South Korea: Cross-Sectional Analysis.

Diabetes is prevalent in older adults, and machine learning algorithms could help predict diabetes in this population. This study determined diabetes risk factors among older adults aged ≥60 years using machine learning algorithms and selected an optimized prediction model. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3084 older adults aged ≥60 years in Seoul from January to November 2023. Data were collected using a mobile app (Gosufit) that measured depression, stress, anxiety, basal metabolic rate, oxygen saturation, heart rate, and average daily step count. Health coordinators recorded data on diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, percent body fat, and percent muscle. The presence of diabetes was the target variable, with various health indicators as predictors. Machine learning algorithms, including random forest, gradient boosting model, light gradient boosting model, extreme gradient boosting model, and k-nearest neighbors, were employed for analysis. The dataset was split into 70% training and 30% testing sets. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and area under the curve (AUC). Shapley additive explanations (SHAPs) were used for model interpretability. Significant predictors of diabetes included hypertension (χ²1=197.294; P<.001), hyperlipidemia (χ²1=47.671; P<.001), age (mean: diabetes group 72.66 years vs nondiabetes group 71.81 years), stress (mean: diabetes group 42.68 vs nondiabetes group 41.47; t3082=-2.858; P=.004), and heart rate (mean: diabetes group 75.05 beats/min vs nondiabetes group 73.14 beats/min; t3082=-7.948; P<.001). The extreme gradient boosting model (XGBM) demonstrated the best performance, with an accuracy of 84.88%, precision of 77.92%, recall of 66.91%, F1 score of 72.00, and AUC of 0.7957. The SHAP analysis of the top-performing XGBM revealed key predictors for diabetes: hypertension, age, percent body fat, heart rate, hyperlipidemia, basal metabolic rate, stress, and oxygen saturation. Hypertension strongly increased diabetes risk, while advanced age and elevated stress levels also showed significant associations. Hyperlipidemia and higher heart rates further heightened diabetes probability. These results highlight the importance and directional impact of specific features in predicting diabetes, providing valuable insights for risk stratification and targeted interventions. This study focused on modifiable risk factors, providing crucial data for establishing a system for the automated collection of health information and lifelog data from older adults using digital devices at service facilities.

Relation of Insulin Resistance to Brain Glucose Metabolism in Fasting and Hyperinsulinemic States: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abnormal brain glucose metabolism may cause cognitive disease in type 2 diabetes, yet the relation between insulin resistance and brain glucose metabolism has not been systematically described. We evaluated the impact of metabolic condition (fasting vs insulin stimulation, eg, from hyperinsulinemic clamp) on the association between insulin resistance of different etiologies and brain glucose metabolism. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched from inception until February 2022. Of 656 unique records, we deemed 31 eligible. Criteria were studies assessing brain glucose metabolism (uptake or metabolic rate) by 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography in individuals characterized by measures of or clinical proxies for insulin resistance (eg, type 2 diabetes and obesity). Two independent investigators extracted data and assessed study quality. We applied random-effects models to pool Hedge's g standardized mean differences. Insulin resistance was associated with decreased brain glucose metabolism during fasting [-0.47 SD, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.73 to -0.22, P < .001, I2 = 71%] and increased metabolism during insulin stimulation (1.44 SD, 95% CI 0.79 to 2.09, P = .002, I2 = 43%). Contrary to type 2 diabetes and other insulin resistance-related conditions, obesity was not associated with brain hypometabolism in fasting states (0.29 SD, 95% CI -.81 to 1.39). Metabolic conditions modify associations between insulin resistance and brain glucose metabolism; ie, most individuals with insulin resistance display hypometabolism during fasting and hypermetabolism during insulin stimulation.

Effect of hypoxia and acidification on metabolic rate of Ponto-Caspian gobies and their native competitors in the context of climate change

Effect of hypoxia and acidification on metabolic rate of Ponto-Caspian gobies and their native competitors in the context of climate change

Resting Metabolic Rate and Recovery From Sport-Related Concussion: A Critically Appraised Topic.

Critical appraisal of whole-body metabolism as a measure of concussion recovery is lacking in the available evidence. There has been extensive exploration of options for a gold standard assessment for concussion, including blood biomarkers, electroencephalogram, and neuroimaging, but none have yet to demonstrate good empirical evidence of efficacy. In patients with sport-related concussion (SRC), can resting metabolic rate (RMR), as measured through indirect calorimetry, be used as a physiologic assessment of recovery? Three studies demonstrated relevance to the clinical question. Of the selected studies, 2 studies were case-control, and 1 was a case series. All studies observed reduced total energy expenditure and increased energy balance when initially assessed between 24 and 72hours after injury. Evidence exists to suggest that RMR as measured with indirect calorimetry is a poor indicator of SRC recovery. All 3 articles found that RMR was not affected by SRC, even when compared with healthy controls. One article did observe a between sex difference in RMR, but a very small sample size was included in the case series. The findings of this critically appraised topic suggest a strength of recommendation of grade B, demonstrating that RMR is a poor indicator of recovery from SRC.

Barriers and enablers to measuring resting metabolic rate in the high-performance sporting system: A qualitative exploratory study

ABSTRACT Measurements of resting metabolic rate (RMR) may be undertaken for dietary planning purposes or to assess for low energy availability (LEA). This study investigated barriers and enablers to measuring RMR in real-world, high-performance sport environments. Twelve interviews were conducted with technicians (n = 6 dietitians, n = 6 physiologists) employed across six National Institute Networks, two National Sporting Organisations and one professional sporting code. RMR was predominantly measured to screen for LEA with measurements only occurring in a few instances for dietary planning purposes. Data was thematically analysed with six main themes identified. Barriers included lack of confidence in measuring RMR, burden of measurement on athlete and technician, confusion over measurement responsibility, and scepticism in RMR measurements as an indicator of LEA. Subthemes that contributed to scepticism included: the RMR thresholds used to indicate LEA, unanswered research questions, and measurement errors introduced by athlete presentation, testing equipment and/or environment. Enablers to use of RMR measurements included perceived value of RMR measurements as a ‘piece of the puzzle’ when assessing for LEA and its use as a longitudinal measure. Best practice guidelines for RMR measurements in athletic cohorts must consider these barriers and enablers as they highlight unique characteristics of athletes and their environment.

Role of neuropeptide Y in development of valproate-induced eating behaviour disorder

Background. Eating behaviour disorder (EBD) induced by valproic acid (VPA) is one of the components of the pathogenesis of a serious complication of therapy with VPA and its salts such as VPA-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS). About 20% of patients receiving VPA have weight gain, which is also a consequence of altered eating behaviour in such patients. Substances such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin, orexin and ghrelin are involved in the regulation of eating behaviour. NPY has received special attention in recent years because it is one of the most potent brain orexigenic peptides and its expression level directly affects the quantity and quality of food intake. NPY overexpression is associated with EBD, food preferences, obesity, and MetS.Objective: to review preclinical and clinical studies of NPY role as a potential sensitive and specific serum biomarker of VPA-EBD, secondary weight gain and VPA-MetS development in children and adults with epilepsy.Material and methods. We analyzed Russian and foreign publications submitted to eLibrary, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases between 2014 and 2024. The full-text articles in Russian and English (original studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, Cochrane reviews, and clinical cases) were analyzed. After the selection procedure, 53 out of 1105 publications retrieved by query keywords were included in the analysis.Results. VPA-EDB refers to multifactorial diseases, requiring to take into account the additive contribution of external (food education, eating habits of the patient and family members) and internal (key hormones and neuropeptides regulating appetite and food preferences, the dose and duration of VPA intake, the metabolic rate of VPA) factors while assessing a risk of its development. NPY-associated VPA-EDB affects dietary preferences in favor of high-calorie food and beverages, increases the frequency of meals, the risks of insulin resistance, hyperglycemia as one of the major domains in MetS pathogenesis.Conclusion. VPA-EBD requires timely diagnosis, as it can cause VPA-MetS. NPY is an important biomarker of VPA-EBD, because recent studies have convincingly demonstrated that this neuropeptide is involved in the regulation of eating behavior in patients with epilepsy.

Rapeseed Supports Hairy Vetch in Intercropping, Enhancing Root and Stem Morphology, Nitrogen Metabolism, Photosynthesis, and Forage Yield

The global shortage of high-quality forage has significantly constrained the development of animal husbandry. Leveraging the complementary effects of forage rapeseed and hairy vetch intercropping can enhance forage yield and quality; however, the underlying mechanisms of overyielding in forage rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping systems remain unclear. Over two years of field experiments, three cropping systems—rapeseed sole cropping, hairy vetch sole cropping, and rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping—were investigated to assess the effects of intercropping on root and stem morphology, canopy light distribution, leaf photosynthetic physiology, and nitrogen metabolism. Our results demonstrated that intercropping increased forage biomass and crude protein yield by 14.3–20.0% and 30.7–92.8%, respectively, compared to sole cropping. Intercropping significantly enhanced root biomass, increasing lateral root biomass by 81% compared to rapeseed sole cropping. It also improved stem anatomical traits, including the cortex area (58.8–80.7%), cortex thickness (25.1–38.3%), number of vascular bundles (18.0–37.3%), vascular bundle length (17.8–18.4%), vascular bundle perimeter (6.7–18.7%), vascular bundle area (34.6–63.9%), and stem breaking strength (25.7–76.6%). Additionally, intercropping optimized vertical canopy light interception, reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and enhanced the activities of glutamine synthetase and nitrate reductase, stomatal traits, and photosynthetic rates in the leaves of both crops. Structural equation modeling revealed that, in the intercropping system, improved population lodging resistance directly promoted nitrogen metabolism and leaf photosynthetic rates, ultimately increasing population biomass. In summary, rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping improved canopy light distribution, strengthened rapeseed stem anatomy and root penetration, and enhanced population lodging resistance, leaf photosynthetic physiology, and nitrogen metabolism, thereby boosting forage biomass and quality. The supportive role of rapeseed in the intercropping system elucidates the overyielding mechanisms of rapeseed–hairy vetch intercropping, offering a theoretical framework for optimizing forage production systems worldwide.

Chronic high fat diet-induced cerebrovascular remodeling impairs recovery of blood flow after cerebral ischemia in mice.

Obesity and associated metabolic disturbances worsen brain ischemia outcome. High fat diet (HFD)-fed mice are obese and have cerebrovascular remodeling and worsened brain ischemia outcome. We determined whether HFD-induced cerebrovascular remodeling impaired reperfusion to the ischemic penumbra. Six-week-old C57BL/6J or matrix metalloprotease-9 knockout (MMP-9-/-) mice were on HFD or regular diet (RD) for 12 to 14 months before a 60-min left middle cerebral arterial occlusion (MCAO). Photoacoustic microscopy was performed at left cerebral frontal cortex. HFD increased cerebrovascular density and tortuosity in C57BL/6J mice but not in MMP-9-/- mice. Blood flow to the ischemic penumbra slowly recovered but did not reach the baseline 2 h after MCAO in RD-fed mice. Oxygen extraction fraction was increased to maintain cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) throughout brain ischemia and reperfusion period. This blood flow recovery was worsened in HFD-fed mice, leading to decreased CMRO2. MMP-9-/- attenuated these HFD effects. HFD increased MMP-9 activity and interleukin 1β. Pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an anti-inflammatory agent, abolished the HFD effects. Interleukin 1β increased MMP-9 activity. In summary, HFD induces cerebrovascular remodeling, leading to worsened recovery of blood supply to the ischemic penumbra to contribute to poor outcome after brain ischemia. Neuroinflammation may activate MMP-9 in HFD-fed mice.