Healthy Young Female Volunteers Research Articles

The effects of endurance physical exercise with fat-free milk intake as a therapy for metabolic syndrome and/or sarcopenia

Background: Nutrition and exercise are important factors for addressing metabolic syndrome and sarcopenia as they are related to insulin secretion. Proteins, particularly branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), have insulinotropic effects, while exercise reduces insulin secretion. It is thus important to investigate the effects of protein intake and exercise alone and in combination to determine suitable dietary and exercise therapies for treating metabolic syndrome and sarcopenia. Methods: Eight healthy young adult female volunteers participated in a crossover trial consisting of two 5-day experiments. Days 1 and 2 comprised a body-weight-maintained adjustment period during which the participants consumed control diets (energy, 2,010 kcal; protein, 51.9 g). Days 3 to 5 comprised the treatment period during which the participants consumed experimental diets (energy, 2,010 kcal; protein 82.3 g) containing 402 kcal of fat-free milk, and either performed only normal daily activities (non-Ex) or performed normal daily activities and exercised on a bicycle with an ergometer at a target intensity of about 50% of the maximal oxygen intake, expending 402 kcal of additional energy (Ex). Total urine samples were collected during the daytime (6:45 to 18:45) and nighttime (18:45 to 6:45 the next morning). Fasting blood samples were collected early in the morning before and after the treatment period. Results: Plasma valine, leucine, and BCAA levels were significantly elevated after both the non-Ex and Ex periods. Serum insulin levels were significantly elevated only after the non-Ex period. Urinary C-peptide immunoreactivity excretion levels increased significantly during the non-Ex period, but they decreased significantly during the Ex period. After the Ex period, the serum triglyceride and remnant lipoprotein-cholesterol (RLP-C) levels were significantly decreased. Homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and atherosclerosis index (AI) values were slightly, yet significantly, increased after the non-Ex period, but were unchanged after the Ex period. The degree of change (Δ) in the RLP-C level significantly and positively correlated with the Δ HOMA-IR and Δ AI.

Is the Brainstem Activation Different Between Healthy Young Male and Female Volunteers at Initiation of Voiding? A High Definition 7-Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Assessing brainstem function in humans through typical neuroimaging modalities has been challenging. Our objective was to evaluate brain and brainstem activation patterns during initiation of voiding in healthy males and females utilizing a 7 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and a noninvasive brain-bladder functional MRI (fMRI) protocol. Twenty healthy adult volunteers (10 males and 10 females) with no history of urinary symptoms were recruited. Each volunteer underwent a clinic uroflow and postvoid residual assessment and was asked to consume water prior to entering the scanner. Anatomical and diffusion tensor images were obtained first, followed by a blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) during the empty bladder. Subjects indicated when they felt the urge to void, and a full bladder rs-fMRI was obtained. Once completed, the subjects began 5 voiding cycles, where the first 7.5 seconds of each voiding cycle was identified as "initiation of voiding." BOLD activation maps were generated, and regions of interests with a t-value greater than 2.1 were deemed statistically significant. We present 5 distinct regions within the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and pontine micturition center (PMC) with statistically significant activation associated with an initiation of voiding in both men and women, 3 within the PAG and 2 within the PMC. Several additional areas in the brain also demonstrated activation as well. When comparing males to females, there was an overall lower BOLD activation seen in females throughout all regions, with the exception of the caudate lobe. Our study effectively defines regions within the PAG and PMC involved in initiation of voiding in healthy volunteers. To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating differences between male and female brainstem activation utilizing an ultra-high definition 7T MRI.

Type IIx muscle fibers are related to poor body composition, glycemic and lipidemic blood profiles in young females: the protective role of type I and IIa muscle fibers.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between muscle fiber composition, body composition, resting glycemic-lipidemic blood profiles, in apparently healthy, young, active females. Thirty-four young healthy female volunteers were allocated into two groups, depending on their Vastus Lateralis type IIx muscle fibers percent cross-sectional area (%CSA; H: high type IIx %CSA; L: low type IIx %CSA). Body composition was determined via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Venous blood samples were collected for the determination of resting serum glucose, Insulin, Apo-A1, HOMA-IR, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), High-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and Low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) concentrations. Nutritional intake was also evaluated. Individuals of the H group have significantly higher body mass, body fat percentage-mass, and resting blood indices of glycemic and lipidemic profiles, compared to those of L group (p < 0.001). Increased type IIx and low type I, IIa muscle fibers %CSAs were linked with poorer body composition, glycemic and lipidemic blood profiles (r: - 0.722 to 0.740, p < 0.001). Linear regression analyses revealed that the impact of muscle fibers %CSA (B coefficients ranged between - 0.700 and 0.835) on the above parameters, was at least, of the same or even of greater magnitude as that of body composition and daily nutritional intake (B: - 0.700 to 0.666). Increased type IIx and low Type I, IIa %CSAs are associated with poorer body composition and glycemic-lipidemic profiles in young healthy females. The contribution of the muscle fiber %CSA on health status seems to be comparable to that of nutrition and body composition.

A Study of Parasympathetic Autonomic Function in Different Phases of the Menstrual Cycle among Young Adult Females

Background: The sex hormones, estrogen, and progesterone, as well as the gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone produced from the anterior pituitary, govern the three stages of the menstrual cycle: menstrual, follicular, and luteal. Hormone fluctuations cause changes in autonomic function. There have been relatively few studies that show autonomic function modification throughout various periods of the menstrual cycle. Aim and Objectives: The current study was undertaken to investigate the difference in mean parasympathetic autonomic characteristics between the proliferative and secretory stages of the menstrual cycle. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 healthy young adult female volunteers were recruited among Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalinga Institute of Nursing Sciences, and Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences students. The study eliminated 20 students who were in the bleeding phase of their cycle. The electrocardiogram was captured, and parasympathetic parameters were determined using the fully automated CANWin instrument in the Department of Physiology. The data of the abovementioned parameters were compiled, tabulated, and entered into Microsoft Excel 2013 and statistically analyzed using STATA software 15.1. Results: The subjects’ mean ages, heights, and weights were 18.9 ± 0.70 years, 156.6 ± 5.25 cm, and 53.7 ± 8.63 kg, respectively. The mean resting heart rate in the secretory phase was substantially greater than in the proliferative phase, indicating sympathetic dominance. The 30:15 ratio between proliferative and secretory stages. The mean E: I ratio calculated from the slow deep breathing maneuver reveals a statistically significant difference between the proliferative and secretory phases. Conclusion: During the secretory phase, there is a considerable rise in parasympathetic activity among the individuals in the current study. Changes in parasympathetic activity throughout the follicular and secretory stages of the menstrual cycle may be caused by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone levels.

Clinical usefulness of a urine dipstick to detect ethyl glucuronide (EtG): A quantitative clinical study in healthy young female volunteers.

The metabolite of ethanol, ethyl glucuronide (EtG), reflects alcohol intake longer than ethanol and is used as a biomarker in clinical settings to detect alcohol use. We aimed to assess the clinical usefulness in a low-to-moderate alcohol intake setting and validate a new urine EtG dipstick. A three-way, open, cross-over trial was conducted. Data were collected from January to June 2019. Among 12 healthy female volunteers, we quantified urine EtG and used a dipstick following intake of either one, two or four units of alcohol. Main outcomes were concentrations of EtG in urine and serum, and creatinine and ethanol in serum. EtG in urine was determined dichotomously by dipsticks at two different thresholds and by mass spectrometry used as gold standard. EtG in urine was quantifiable up to 24hours after alcohol intake. In some individual cases, EtG was quantifiable up to 72hours at low concentrations. The dipstick detected EtG in urine up to 24hours. At thresholds of 1000 and 1500ng/mL, the dipsticks had a specificity of 100% (both), while sensitivity was 84% and 69%, respectively. The sensitivity of the dipsticks was insufficient to support a screening purpose in this setting of low-to-moderate alcohol intake.

A Study on Effect of Music on Working Memory in Healthy Young Adults

Background and Aim: Working memory is divided into two independent subsystems: the phonological loop and the visuospatial sketchpad. In normal day to day life, we may use both these subsystems together as in listening to music while studying. This study aims to investigate whether this interaction is beneficial or not. The present study sought to determine the effect of different types of music on working memory. Methods: 20 Male and 13 young healthy female volunteers were included in the study. They were shown and asked to remember textual and facial information in the presence of different varieties of background music. They were asked to recall as many as they could soon after. Their subjective feelings about the music and their performance while memorizing and recalling for each task was also taken and compared with their original performance. Their performance in presence of different music was also compared. Results: It was found in this study that music had no effect on short term textual memory or face recognition memory, but if the tone played in the background expresses similar emotion as that of the face seen (e.g. joyful music with happy facial expression) it may positively help in memory encoding and recalling as pointed out by our subjective recalling scores. Discussion: While memorizing textual and facial pieces of information, different people respond differently to the music in the background as confirmed by our current study. But while comparing the subjective scores in the presence of different varieties of music, it was found that the emotional tone conveyed by background music can influence subsequent memory for emotional details of an event, indicating the cross-modal nature of memory for emotional aspects of situations.

A Combined Approach of High-Frequency rTMS and Food-Inhibition Association Training Reduces Chocolate Snack Consumption.

The ability to control impulsive urges is important for maintaining healthy eating habits. Various training strategies have been developed to reduce impulsive urges for food and strengthen cognitive control over tempting food intake. One frequent strategy uses food-inhibition association to alter the associative process between food cues and impulsive urges. Another strategy, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to strengthen cognitive control, has received increased attention. Findings, so far, are mixed and limited due to small effect size, interpretational ambiguity, and lack of standardized brain stimulation parameters. We examined whether tempting chocolate snack intake is modulated by food-inhibition association training combined with high-frequency rTMS. In Experiment 1, healthy young adult female volunteers [body mass index (BMI) range, 17–27] performed a food go/no-go task in which chocolate images were consistently paired with either a no-go cue (no-go group, n = 14) or a go cue (go group, n = 14), or both go and no-go cues at equal frequencies (neutral group, n = 15). In Experiment 2, we examined the effect of combined treatment with high-frequency rTMS and food go/no-go training. Sixty healthy young adult female volunteers (BMI range, 15–31) were randomly assigned to one of four groups with equal numbers of participants: rTMS/no-go, rTMS/neutral, sham/no-go, or sham/neutral. rTMS or sham stimulation was applied over the left DLPFC prior to the food go/no-go training task. After training, in both experiments, a taste test was conducted, and the amount of snack intake was measured. In Experiment 1, the no-go training group consumed fewer chocolate snacks than the go training group. No difference was found between the no-go and neutral training groups. In Experiment 2, combined rTMS and no-go training effectively reduced chocolate snack intake compared with neutral training. Although limited by the small sample size, our results suggest the therapeutic potential of combined high-frequency rTMS and food-inhibition association training in enhancing control over the intake of tempting foods in individuals with overeating.

In Vivo Flattening of the Central Aponeurosis of the Rectus Femoris Due to Knee Extension Torque in Healthy Young and Elderly Individuals With Knee Osteoarthritis.

We aimed to elucidate the relationship between active force production and the curvature of the central aponeurosis (CA) of the rectus femoris in young healthy participants as fundamental data and compare the muscle CA curvature before and after straight leg raising (SLR) training in participants with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Central aponeurosis curvature was determined during submaximal and maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) using ultrasonography. Twenty-five young healthy female volunteers underwent ultrasonographic measurements under conditions of isometric MVC. They were divided into a flat shaped CA group (flat) and an incompletely flat shaped CA group (remnant). Central aponeurosis curvature was calculated as the ratio of CA height and length in the axial view. Central aponeurosis shape and muscular strength before and after muscle training were measured in 11 participants with knee OA. In the young healthy individuals, maximal voluntary torque and changes in CA curvature were significantly higher in the flat group than in the remnant group (2.15 Nm/kg and - 17.7% vs 1.75 Nm/kg and -9.8%, respectively; P = 0.005). The rate of change of the CA curvature during contraction was significantly correlated with maximal voluntary torque corrected for body mass (r = 0.512). The CA curvature progressively decreased as %MVC increased. In the OA group, CA curvature during MVC after SLR training was significantly lower than that before SLR training (3.2% vs 7.2%; P = 0.031). Central aponeurosis curvature was associated with muscle strength, and the results supported our hypothesis that geometric observation of CA changes during contractions may reflect muscle fiber function. We aim to develop a new ultrasonographic skeletal muscle evaluation method based on our present findings.

P139 OLORINAB, A PERIPHERALLY RESTRICTED, HIGHLY SELECTIVE AGONIST OF THE CANNABINOID RECEPTOR TYPE 2 FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF VISCERAL PAIN IN INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE (IBD) – PRECLINICAL AND EARLY CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT

Abdominal pain is common and persistent in patients with IBD. Available anti-inflammatory treatments often fail to relieve pain despite disease remission. Cannabinoid receptor agonists have shown efficacy in visceral pain, but development has been limited by psychotropic effects mediated by the cannabinoid receptor type 1. Olorinab is a peripherally restricted, highly selective agonist of the cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2 receptor). Herein is an overview of preclinical efficacy, clinical safety, and pharmacokinetics (PK) data from early studies. Male Sprague Dawley rats (6-7 weeks old) were randomly assigned to study groups. Colitis was induced using 12 mg 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid in 35% ethanol applied rectally. Control or colitis rats were given oral olorinab (3 or 30 mg/kg) or vehicle twice daily for 5 days, starting 1 day before colitis induction. Visceral hypersensitivity was measured in vivo as visceromotor responses (VMR) to colorectal distension (CRD; 0-80 mm Hg). In 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase 1 studies, healthy young adult male and female volunteers were randomized to receive either a single ascending dose (SAD; 10-400 mg) or multiple ascending doses (MAD; 50-200 mg 3 times daily [TID] for 10 days) of oral olorinab or placebo. Safety, tolerability, and PK were evaluated. Olorinab-treated colitis rats had reduced VMR to CRD versus vehicle-treated colitis rats (VMR normalized to control levels, p < 0.001, n = 9/group). Olorinab was generally well tolerated as 1 dose up to 400 mg and in multiple doses up to 200 mg TID. In the SAD study, 45% (19/42) of olorinab and 21% (3/14) of placebo subjects reported adverse events (AEs; most mild). Most common AEs in olorinab subjects were dry mouth, somnolence, diarrhea, dizziness, and headache, mostly at the highest doses. In the MAD study, 26% (7/27) of olorinab and 33% (3/9) of placebo subjects reported AEs (all mild). Most common AEs in olorinab subjects were headache and nausea. Olorinab exposure increased during single and multiple doses less than dose proportionally. The mean Tmax was ∼1.5 hours, and mean t1/2 was 3.11-4.23 hours with single doses up to 400 mg. In the MAD study plasma steady state occurred within 4 days. The peripherally restricted CB2 receptor agonist, olorinab, showed preclinical efficacy in a rat model of colitis-induced visceral hypersensitivity. In healthy volunteers, olorinab was safe and well tolerated without psychotropic AEs. These preclinical and early clinical safety data support the continued clinical development of olorinab for the treatment of visceral pain associated with IBD.

A study of sympathetic autonomic function in different phases of menstrual cycle among young adult females

Background: Menstrual cycle involves three phases: Menstrual, follicular, and luteal which are regulated by the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone from the ovary, and also by the gonadotropins – leutinizing and follicle-stimulating hormone from the anterior pituitary. Fluctuations in hormone levels could be associated with autonomic function modulations. There are very few studies related to autonomic function modulation during different phases of menstrual cycle. Aims and Objective: The present study was, therefore, taken up to look into the difference in mean sympathetic autonomic parameters during proliferative and secretory phases of menstrual cycle. Materials and Methods: A total of 120 healthy young adult female volunteers were recruited among the students of KIMS, KINS, and KIDS. 20 students who were in the bleeding phase of their cycle were excluded from the study. The mean age, heights, and weight of the subjects were 18.9 ± 0.70 years, 156.6 ± 5.25 cm, and 53.7 ± 8.63 kg, respectively. The electrocardiogram was recorded and sympathetic parameters were measured. A statistical analysis was performed by STATA software 15.1. Results: There was a significant increase in the parameters such as resting heart rate in beats per minute (≤0.05), fall in systolic blood pressure (SBP) (↓SBP in mm of Hg) on standing, and rise in diastolic (DBP) (↑DBP in mm of Hg) on sustained hand grip (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed an increase in the sympathetic modulation during the secretory phase of menstrual cycle.

Pain Mirrors: Neural Correlates of Observing Self or Others' Facial Expressions of Pain.

Facial expressions of pain are able to elicit empathy and adaptive behavioral responses in the observer. An influential theory posits that empathy relies on an affective mirror mechanism, according to which emotion recognition relies upon the internal simulation of motor and interoceptive states triggered by emotional stimuli. We tested this hypothesis comparing representations of self or others’ expressions of pain in nineteen young healthy female volunteers by means of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We hypothesized that one’s own facial expressions are more likely to elicit the internal simulation of emotions, being more strictly related to self. Video-clips of the facial expressions of each volunteer receiving either painful or non-painful mechanical stimulations to their right hand dorsum were recorded and used as stimuli in a 2 × 2 (Self/Other; Pain/No-Pain) within-subject design. During each trial, a 2 s video clip was presented, displaying either the subject’s own neutral or painful facial expressions (Self No-Pain, SNP; Self Pain, SP), or the expressions of other unfamiliar volunteers (Others’ No-Pain, ONP; Others’ Pain, OP), displaying a comparable emotional intensity. Participants were asked to indicate whether each video displayed a pain expression. fMRI signals were higher while viewing Pain than No-Pain stimuli in a large bilateral array of cortical areas including middle and superior temporal, supramarginal, superior mesial and inferior frontal (IFG) gyri, anterior insula (AI), anterior cingulate (ACC), and anterior mid-cingulate (aMCC) cortex, as well as right fusiform gyrus. Bilateral activations were also detected in thalamus and basal ganglia. The Self vs. Other contrast showed signal changes in ACC and aMCC, IFG, AI, and parietal cortex. A significant interaction between Self and Pain [(SP vs. SNP) >(OP vs. ONP)] was found in a pre-defined region of aMCC known to be also active during noxious stimulation. These findings demonstrate that the observation of one’s own and others’ facial expressions share a largely common neural network, but self-related stimuli induce generally higher activations. In line with our hypothesis, selectively greater activity for self pain-related stimuli was found in aMCC, a medial-wall region critical for pain perception and recognition.

Short-term DHEA administration in recreational athletes: impact on food intake, segmental body composition and adipokines.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) administration is potentially therapeutic because it has been shown to decrease fat mass and adipokines and improve eating and mood disturbances. However, its impact on these parameters has never been investigated in a young healthy population. This study therefore sought to determine whether short-term DHEA administration would alter food intake, segmental body composition, adipokine secretion and mood in young healthy male and female volunteers with regular sport practice. Following a double-blind and randomized protocol, 20 young healthy recreational athletes (10 men and 10 women) received treatment with either oral placebo or DHEA (100 mg/day for 4 weeks). Body weight, segmental body composition and adipokines (i.e., leptin, adiponectin and resistin) were determined before and at the end of each treatment. In parallel, spontaneous food intake was assessed at the end of each treatment, and mood was assessed before and at the end of treatment with the positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS). Body weight and segmental body composition showed no significant change in the men or women. Similarly, no change in adipokine secretion was found after DHEA administration. Total food intake was not affected by DHEA in any subject, despite an increase in fat intake by male subjects under DHEA (P<0.05). Positive and negative affect were not altered. In conclusion, in contrast to pathological populations, a young healthy population of men and women was not significantly affected by short-term DHEA administration with regard to total food intake, segmental body composition, adipokines or mood.

Neuroendocrine and inflammatory responses to DHEA administration in young healthy women

DHEA is reported to have beneficial effects for the elderly and for several pathologies because of its behavioral and anti-inflammatory properties. However, these properties have never been investigated in a young healthy population. The purpose of this double-blind, randomized study was therefore to investigate the effects of short-term DHEA administration (100 mg/day/4 weeks) on neuroendocrine (i.e., beta-endorphin and prolactin) and inflammatory (i.e., interleukin-6 and TNF-alpha) parameters in 10 young healthy female volunteers with regular sports practice. In parallel, the stress state was assessed with the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. DHEA administration did not alter prolactin, interleukin-6 or TNF-alpha, and no significant change in tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue or confusion was noted. However, beta-endorphin levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) with the DHEA treatment. The results of this investigation indicate that short-term DHEA administration improves neuroendocrine modulation but does not affect the inflammatory status or psychological state in recreationally trained female athletes. Further studies are needed to determine the exact mechanisms and the responses of these parameters to DHEA administration at higher dosages and/or for longer durations, especially in response to physical/psychological stress.

Effect of randomized serum progesterone concentration on secretory endometrial histologic development and gene expression.

What doses of secretory phase progesterone (P) in women are associated with altered endometrial structure and/or function? Consistently delayed histological maturation was seen at the lowest tested daily P dose (2.5 mg), whereas consistently altered functional response, as reflected by microarray analysis of gene expression was seen at both the 5 and 2.5 mg doses. Progesterone is absolutely required for normal embryo implantation and pregnancy survival. Progesterone supplementation is beneficial in ART cycles. In this case-control experimental trial, 46 healthy young female volunteers (age 19-34) underwent a single modeled endometrial cycle after GnRH down-regulation or monitored in natural cycles. In a university hospital, modeled cycles were obtained by GnRH agonist down-regulation, transdermal estradiol (E2) (0.2 mg/d), and daily injections of P in oil for 10 days: 2.5 mg (n = 6), 5 mg (n = 6), 10 mg (n = 12) or 40 mg (n = 12), after the 10th day of E2. Ten healthy, ovulatory women were used as controls. Endometrial biopsies were obtained on the 10th day of P exposure, or urinary LH surge (in controls). Analysis included histological dating, serum progesterone levels, microarray analysis of the whole genome, RT-PCR, western blot and comparison with the GEO database. In endometrial biopsies, a morphological delay appears in the 2.5 mg/day of P group. Higher sub-physiological levels of P (≥5 mg/day) resulted in normal histology, but aberrant gene expression. P levels required for consistent histological delay were lower than those in all ovulatory women. Gene expression abnormalities occurred at higher sub-physiological P concentrations, without a change in histology, a functional-morphological disassociation. The expression of some endometrial receptivity-associated genes appeared multiphasic, with peak or nadir of mean or median expression levels between the lowest and highest doses, suggesting sustained supraphysiological doses seen in ART treatment cycles may not be optimal. GEO DataSets ID: 200056980; GSE 56980. These results were obtained in fertile women, who may respond differently from infertile subjects. The dose of P required for normal endometrial structure (5 mg/day) corresponds to a P concentration well below that seen in ovulatory women, suggesting that persistently delayed mid-secretory histology cannot be solely due to inadequate P concentrations in an ovulatory cycle. Endometrial gene expression is differentially regulated by different doses of progesterone. The apparent multiphasic response of some genes to P dose suggests the possibility that P concentration kinetics may play a role in normal endometrial preparation for receptivity. These findings strongly confirm that histologic development is not a reliable measure of endometrial P action. Supported by The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Disease, National Institute of Health, USA (NICHD/NIH) (R01HD067721 and U54HD30476; SLY and BAL) and Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) 240239/2012-1 (RFS). All authors have no competing interests.

The Reliability of Oral and Pharyngeal Dimensions Captured with Acoustic Pharyngometry.

Acoustic Pharyngometry (APh) is a method for quantifying oropharyngeal tract configuration using sound wave reflection and is commonly used in diagnostics and research of sleep apnea. The standard preset output of APh (minimal cross-sectional area) has been established as reliable. However, by conducting post-processing measures on specific breathing tasks, APh data can also reveal oral length, oral volume, pharyngeal length, and pharyngeal volume. Given that these measures may have utility in dysphagia research, the reliability of these measures is unknown and is the focus of the current study. Ten young healthy female volunteers completed two sessions of APh data collection to obtain measures of oral length, oral volume, pharyngeal length, and pharyngeal volume 1week apart. Two-way mixed intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to establish intra-rater reliability, inter-rater reliability, and test-retest reliability. Results revealed excellent levels of agreement within and across raters for all oropharyngeal tract parameters. Levels of test-retest agreement for oral length and oral volume indicated these parameters are appropriate for monitoring change within an individual. All parameters were deemed to have acceptable test-retest values as outcome measures in group-level analysis.

Increased strength of the scapular stabilizer and lumbar muscles after twelve weeks of Pilates training using the Reformer machine: A pilot study

The aim of this work was to analyze muscle strength in Pilates novices who used the Reformer equipment during twelve training sessions. Twenty-four healthy young female volunteers, who were non-smokers and did not exercise regularly, were split into a control group (mean age 28±4 years and BMI 24.55±3.21kg/m2) and a training group (mean age 29±4 years and BMI 22.69±2.87kgm2). The data were checked for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, and were then analyzed using the t-test (p<0.05). After the training sessions, there were statistically significant differences between the groups for the scapular stabilizer muscles (p=0.0263) and the lumbar muscles (p=0.0001). For the scapular stabilizers, the initial/final values were 14.69±2.80/14.79±2.89 (control group) and 15.99±3.54/17.44±2.88 (Pilates group). The corresponding values for the lumbar muscles were 53.83±11.66/53.28±11.14 (control group) and 54.75±10.27/64.80±10.20 (Pilates group). After twelve sessions of Pilates with the Reformer equipment, there were improvements in lumbar extensor and scapular stabilizer strength. Several benefits are reported by practitioners of Pilates, but until now, there has been limited scientific evidence of the improvement of strength in the trunk and limbs after application of the technique.

The Effect Of The Different Type Of Exercise In The Pupillary Size And Response

Accommodation of body internal functions during exercise is mainly controlled by autonomic nerves, and many studies on exercise and cardiac autonomic function including skin blood flow and frequency analysis of R-R interval have been reported. As a different method, we focused on observation of pupils, which has been traditionally used in medical practice. Studies on the intensity of exercise and autonomic of the eye are very rare. From the past reports, sympathetic nerves are known to control predominantly during intense exercise, so pupil diameters are expected to dilate during exercise. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of the different type of exercise in the pupillary size and response. METHODS: Subjects were healthy young male and female volunteers without any history of ocular deseases other than minor refractive error. (n=14 to 20, age range: 18-24 years old) After 10 minutes of dark adaptation, subjects were assigned to the different types of exercise. The difference in the pupillary diameter and unrest were noted at rest, during exercise and the recovery phase by the pupilometer. Types of exercise used: 1) Maximum effort pedaling with ergometer for 30 seconds with Powermax, 2) Isometric contraction of knee extension for 10 seconds, 3) Maximal cycling exercise. RESULT: 1) There was a significant difference in the pupillary size between resting state and during exercise with maximal effort of 30 seconds duration (P<0.05). 2) Isometric exercise of knee extension for 10 seconds caused statistically significant pupillary dilation and then pupillary constriction 3 minutes after exercise (P<0.05). 3) Maximum pupillary unrest was significantly noted at the end phase of the maximal exercise and pupil slowly becomes stable after 3 minutes of recovery phase. However, the pupillary diameter was decreased compared to its baseline (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Temporal reflectory mydriasis would be induced by abrupt and high-intensity exercise as in the same way as ciliospinal reaction, regardless of the type of exercise. Also, an increase in pupillary unrest was observed due to physical fatigue when subjects performed high-intensity exercise. These findings indicate there is a possibility to monitor the body internal function during exercise by observation of pupils.

Ultrasound evaluation of effect of different degree of wrist extension on radial artery dimension at the wrist joint.

Context:Successful arterial cannulation requires wide and patent arterial lumen. A recent study has shown that success rate of radial arterial cannulation at first attempt is more at 45° angle of wrist extension in both young and elderly patients. No study has reasoned whether these high success rates at 45° is because of less compression of the radial artery at this particular angle of wrist extension. Hence, we attempted to study whether the radial artery dimensions changes with increasing angles of wrist extension in young, healthy female volunteers using ultrasound examination.Aim:To investigate the effect of increasing angle of wrist extension of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75° on radial artery dimensions at the level of the wrist joint using ultrasound examination.Settings and Design:A prospective single blinded study in volunteers.Subjects and Methods:Sonographic measurements of radial artery dimension at the wrist level were performed in 48 young, healthy female subjects. Height (anteroposterior in mm), width (mediolateral in mm) and depth (skin to artery) were measured at wrist extension of 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75°. The dimensions at each angle are compared with 0° as the control and statistical analysis done.Statistical Analysis:One-way analysis of variance test.Results:No statistically significant change in dimension of the radial artery is observed with increasing angle of wrist extension.Conclusion:Ultrasound evaluation showed that increasing angle of wrist extension does not significantly change the dimensions of radial artery at the wrist joint level in young healthy female volunteers.

Body composition changes associated with fasted versus non-fasted aerobic exercise.

It has been hypothesized that performing aerobic exercise after an overnight fast accelerates the loss of body fat. The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in fat mass and fat-free mass following four weeks of volume-equated fasted versus fed aerobic exercise in young women adhering to a hypocaloric diet. Twenty healthy young female volunteers were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: a fasted training (FASTED) group that performed exercise after an overnight fast (n = 10) or a post-prandial training (FED) group that consumed a meal prior to exercise (n = 10). Training consisted of 1 hour of steady-state aerobic exercise performed 3 days per week. Subjects were provided with customized dietary plans designed to induce a caloric deficit. Nutritional counseling was provided throughout the study period to help ensure dietary adherence and self-reported food intake was monitored on a regular basis. A meal replacement shake was provided either immediately prior to exercise for the FED group or immediately following exercise for the FASTED group, with this nutritional provision carried out under the supervision of a research assistant. Both groups showed a significant loss of weight (P = 0.0005) and fat mass (P = 0.02) from baseline, but no significant between-group differences were noted in any outcome measure. These findings indicate that body composition changes associated with aerobic exercise in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet are similar regardless whether or not an individual is fasted prior to training.

Silicones as Nonocclusive Topical Agents

Background/Aims: Silicone excipients are commonly used ingredients because of their emollient and skin-conditioning effects, and their ability to form uniform, water-resistant, yet permeable films. Based on comparisons with organic materials and conflicting knowledge from silicones used in scar treatment, the misconception still exists that silicone topical excipients are occlusive substances that may block the passive loss of water through the upper skin layers. Therefore, 3 types of common silicone excipients and 3 water-in-(oil-plus-silicone) or W/(O + Si) creams, containing 10% (w/w) of the respective silicones, were investigated as a function of time and compared to petrolatum. Methods: Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin hydration measurements were carried out after a single topical application on forearm skin of 26 healthy young female volunteers. Results: Both petrolatum and silicones significantly decreased TEWL 15 min after application, but the measurements for the silicones were not significantly different from the untreated control values. The tested silicones did not moisturize the skin. Petrolatum formed an occlusive layer, creating an increase in skin hydration for more than 4 h. The results measured for the W/(O + Si) creams indicated that they moisturized the skin, without any effect on TEWL. Conclusion: A clear difference was shown between the skin occlusive properties of petrolatum and the water vapor permeability of the common silicone excipient materials.