Supine Cycling Exercise Enhances Cerebral Oxygenation of Motor-Related Areas in Healthy Male Volunteers

It has been reported that the cardiovascular response in the supine position is different from that in the sitting position. However, there are few reports on the effects of posture on cerebral oxygenation during exercise. Cycling exercises change oxygenated hemoglobin (O₂Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) levels in motor-related areas. Therefore, this study compared O₂Hb levels at motor-related areas during recumbent versus supine cycling. Eleven healthy young male performed a 30-min cycling exercise protocol at 50% of the maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) in the recumbent and supine positions. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure exercise-induced O₂Hb and HHb changes in the right (R-PMA) and left premotor areas (L-PMA), supplementary motor area (SMA), and primary motor cortex (M1). In R-PMA, L-PMA and SMA, the O₂Hb obtained during supine cycling was significantly higher than that during recumbent cycling (R-PMA, 0.031 ± 0.01 vs. 0.693 ± 0.01; L-PMA, 0.027 ± 0.01 vs. 0.085 ± 0.013; SMA, 0.041 ± 0.011 vs. 0.076 ± 0.008 mM·cm, recumbent vs. supine position; p < 0.05). These results suggest that supine cycling exercise increases R-PMA, L-PMA, and SMA O₂Hb levels in healthy young men.

Cerebral Oxygenation Dynamics During Incremental Exercise: Comparison of Arm Cranking and Leg Cycling

This study aimed to compare cerebral oxyhemoglobin (O₂Hb) levels during incremental exercise by cycling vs. arm cranking in 12 healthy adult men aged 20.8 ± 0.2 years old. O₂Hb was measured by near-infrared spectroscopy. Regions of interest included the left and right prefrontal cortices (LtPFC and RtPFC, respectively), the left and right premotor cortices (LtPMC and RtPMC, respectively), and the supplementary motor area (SMA) bilaterally. After 4 min of rest, 4 min of warm-up was performed by using ergometer followed by incremental exercise (increasing work rate by 5 W/min for arm cranking and 20 W/min for cycling exercise). All values were averaged every tenth of the participant's exercise time period from beginning of incremental exercise to end point. At the middle exercise intensity (50% exercise time), the averaged O₂Hb values obtained at all regions of interest seemed to be higher during arm cranking exercise as compared to cycling; however, there were no significant differences between two types of exercise. At the end point of incremental exercise (100% exercise time), the O₂Hb obtained at all regions of interest was significantly higher during arm cranking exercise compared to cycling (LtPFC 0.081 ± 0.019 vs. -0.001 ± 0.013 mM·cm, RtPFC 0.076 ± 0.021 vs. 0.018 ± 0.015 mM·cm, SMA 0.012 ± 0.040 vs. 0.040 ± 0.016 mM·cm; arm cranking vs. cycling; p < 0.05, respectively). We conclude that exercise-induced cerebral oxygenation is greater with arm cranking than with leg cycling.

Effects of 20-Minute Intensive Exercise on Subjects with Different Working Memory Bases

Continuous moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves cognitive function including working memory (WM). We aimed to determine the differences in the effects of exercise on WM based on pre-exercise WM function and oxyhemoglobin (O₂Hb) changes. We enrolled 12 healthy adult males who, after a 4-min rest and warm-up, performed a 20-min exercise regime at a workload corresponding to 50% of maximal oxygen consumption. They performed a pre- and postexercise two-back test, and the reaction times were recorded. Near-infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor the O₂Hb concentration in the left prefrontal cortex during the exercise. Based on the pre-exercise reaction time, the subjects were allocated into either a fast group (FG) or a slow group (SG). The pre- and postexercise changes in the reaction time and time-to-peak O₂Hb were compared. Further, we determined the relationship between the change in the reaction time and time-to-peak O₂Hb. There was no significant change in the reaction time of the FG; however, that in the SG decreased significantly. The time-to-peak O₂Hb in the FG was significantly less than that in the SG. These results showed differences in the changes of reaction time and O₂Hb changes between the FG and SG.

Cancer survivors exhibit a different relationship between muscle strength and health-related quality of life/fatigue compared to healthy subjects

We investigated the difference in relationship between muscle strength and quality of life (QOL)/fatigue in long-term cancer survivors and healthy subjects. Thirty-six cancer survivors and 29 healthy subjects were assessed for body composition and bone status at the calcaneus using the Osteo Sono Assessment Index. Muscle strength was evaluated via handgrip and knee extensor strength. Health-related QOL was assessed using the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Fatigue was measured using the brief fatigue inventory. Cancer survivors exhibited lower QOL scores in the physical functioning, physical role function, bodily pain and general health domains (p < .05). Grip and knee extension muscle strength in cancer survivors was positively correlated with the physical function and bodily pain of QOL (p < .05). The usual fatigue subscale score was only significantly higher in cancer survivors than in healthy subjects (p < .05). However, there were no correlations between muscle strength and fatigue in cancer survivors. Our results showed that muscle strength was an important factor for improving QOL in cancer survivors. We believe that the findings of this study will be relevant in the context of planning rehabilitation for cancer survivors.

Secondary pool boiling effects

A pool boiling phenomenon referred to as secondary boiling effects is discussed. Based on the experimental trends, a mechanism is proposed that identifies the parameters that lead to this phenomenon. Secondary boiling effects refer to a distinct decrease in the wall superheat temperature near the critical heat flux due to a significant increase in the heat transfer coefficient. Recent pool boiling heat transfer experiments using femtosecond laser processed Inconel, stainless steel, and copper multiscale surfaces consistently displayed secondary boiling effects, which were found to be a result of both temperature drop along the microstructures and nucleation characteristic length scales. The temperature drop is a function of microstructure height and thermal conductivity. An increased microstructure height and a decreased thermal conductivity result in a significant temperature drop along the microstructures. This temperature drop becomes more pronounced at higher heat fluxes and along with the right nucleation characteristic length scales results in a change of the boiling dynamics. Nucleation spreads from the bottom of the microstructure valleys to the top of the microstructures, resulting in a decreased surface superheat with an increasing heat flux. This decrease in the wall superheat at higher heat fluxes is reflected by a "hook back" of the traditional boiling curve and is thus referred to as secondary boiling effects. In addition, a boiling hysteresis during increasing and decreasing heat flux develops due to the secondary boiling effects. This hysteresis further validates the existence of secondary boiling effects.

Normative values for maximum power during motor function assessment of jumping among physically active Japanese

OBJECTIVES

To determine the relationship between maximum power relative to body weight (Pmax-rel) and the aging process, and to indicate the target values of improvement of motor function in Japanese individuals.

METHODS

In 410 physically active Japanese subjects (7-79 years) with no impairment of daily activities were performed counter-movement jumps. We evaluated the correlation between age and Pmax-rel, mean Pmax-rel by age group, and the percentage Esslinger Fitness Index score relative to 100% for same-age Europeans (%EFI), by gender.

RESULTS

Age and Pmax-rel were correlated in both males aged <18 and >or=18 years old (both p<0.01) and females aged <18 and >or=18 years old (both p<0.01). Pmax-rel declined gradually with age, reaching 53.5% of the peak in subjects in their 70s. There was no significant difference in %EFI scores in most age groups.

CONCLUSION

Similar to Europeans, Pmax-rel in Japanese individuals is closely correlated with age, declining to 53% of the peak in subjects in their 70s. Thus, Pmax-rel and the %EFI appear to be suitable as normative indices applicable to different human populations for the assessment of physical function.

[Development and evaluation of an individuals-oriented information-provision system for outpatients--utility of "drug Usage sheets" and "Drug Information Cards" for patient consultation]

We have implemented an information-provision system for outpatients at the department of pharmacy, University of Tokyo Hospital, in order to comply with the revised Pharmacists' Law by which pharmacists have been obliged to provide patients with information necessary for rational usage of medicine at the time they receive dispensed drugs. This system is linked on-line with the order entry system to print "Drug Usage Sheets" containing important drug information such as therapeutic effects and adverse reactions, as well as photographic color views of drugs. We prepared the sheets by extracting and classifying the original information, and by converting medical terms into lay expressions. Moreover, we developed "Drug Information Cards" to inform each patient of severe side effects and drug interactions, which should affect drug compliance, and implemented an individuals-oriented information system using both the "Drug Usage Sheets" and "Drug Information Cards." In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of this system from the viewpoint of patients' recognition and understanding on necessary drug information. It was indicated from questionnaires to patients that the "Drug Usage Sheets" help most patients understand the names, usage, effects, and general cautions including slight adverse reactions (i.e. grade 1), and that the use of colored letters for important parts and pictograms is a useful method to attract more attention from patients as compared with a conventional method using only letters. Most patients answered that the "Drug Usage Sheets" can be utilized in many ways and valuable in taking drugs with assurance. We formulated the "Drug Information Cards" by information processing: separation of early symptoms of adverse effects into subjective and objective ones and their classification into related organs. Moreover, the brand names of drugs which may cause drug interactions have been listed on the cards so that worsening of adverse reactions and drug interactions can be avoided. Although 14% of the patients answered that they became unsecured when informed on side effects, the percentage of such patients was significantly higher with those who received caution-required drugs for the first time or who have experienced drug side effects before, suggesting the need for combining oral explanation based on each patient's background and understanding on drug adverse effects. In conclusion, an efficient provision of drug information became possible through our integration of necessary drug information in this study, and the individuals-oriented system of drug information was established, which was demonstrated to contribute to the rational usage of medicine.

[Studies on the synthesis of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists. III. Synthesis and cholecystokinin A receptor inhibitory activities of naphthyl sulfone derivatives]

A number of naphthyl sulfone derivatives were synthesized and tested for cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptor inhibitory activity in order to study structure-activity relationships. Significant CCK-A receptor inhibitory activities were found in sulfone-carboxylic acid derivatives (7) having very hydrophobic sidechains. As the most preferred compound, (R)-4-[N-(3-methoxypropyl)-N-pentylcarbamoyl]-5-(2-naphthylsulf onyl) pentanoic acid ((R)-7c) was selected.

[Studies on the synthesis of cholecystokinin A receptor antagonists. II. Synthesis and cholecystokinin A receptor inhibitory activities of sulfur-containing amide-carboxylic acid derivatives]

A number of sulfur-containing amide-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized and tested for cholecystokinin A (CCK-A) receptor inhibitory activity in order to study structure-activity relationships. Significant CCK-A receptor inhibitory activities were found in only two series, that is, sulfoxide-carboxylic acid derivatives (9) and sulfone-carboxylic acid derivatives (10). As the most preferred compound, 5-(3,4-dichlorophenylsulfonyl)-4-(N,N-dipentylcarbamoyl)pent anoic acid (10n) was selected.

[Behavioral studies of KSG-504, a new CCK-A receptor antagonist]

The effects of KSG-504 after intravenous administration on behavior and other central functions were studied. KSG-504 did not affect the general behavior of dogs up to the dose of 30 mg/kg, but the drug (100 mg/kg, i.v.) caused vomiting in 3 out of the 5 dogs. Moreover, KSG-504 (1-30 mg/kg, i.v.) had no effects on spontaneous motility, thiopental-induced sleep, acetic acid-induced writhing in mice and satiety in rats. A high dose of CCK-8 (100 micrograms/kg or more) suppressed spontaneous motility, writhing and satiety, and prolonged sleep when administered subcutaneously. The behavioral changes induced by CCK-8 were antagonized by KSG-504 in a dose-dependent manner (1-30 mg/kg, i.v.). When KSG-504 was administered intravenously to rabbits at the dose of 10 mg/kg or 0.5 mg/kg/min for 120 min, we could not detect the drug in the cerebrospinal fluid, indicating that KSG-504 does not cross the blood-brain barrier after peripheral administration of the drug. Thus, the inhibitory effect of KSG-504 on CCK-8-induced behavioral changes may be the result of antagonism at peripheral CCK-A receptors.

Synthesis of human renin inhibitory peptides, angiotensinogen transition-state analogs containing a retro-inverso amide bond

The experimental details for the synthesis of human renin inhibitors are described. In order to avoid metabolic degradation of the Phe-His (P3-P2) amide bond in transition-state analogs, structurally modified acyl residues (P4-P3) were incorporated into the inhibitors. Compound 1a, which contained 2-(1-naphthylmethyl)-3-(N-phenethylcarbamoyl)propionyl residue (P4-P3) with a retro-inverso amide bond, L-histidine, and norstatine isoamylamide residue (P1-P1) as a transition-state mimic, had potent human renin inhibitory activity, and it lowered blood pressure when administered orally to common marmosets.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of human renin inhibitors designed from angiotensinogen transition state

The synthesis and the structure-activity relationships of renin inhibitors designed from the angiotensinogen transition state are described. These inhibitors contained residues modified at P1-P1', P2, and P4-P3. Decrease in the size of side chain alkyl group in norstatine analog at P1 diminished the inhibitory activities of the compounds. Compound 5j, which contained valine residue instead of histidine residue at P2, inhibited potently cathepsin D (IC50 = 6.0 x 10(-9) M) and pepsin (IC50 = 3.5 x 10(-7) M) to the same extent as renin (IC50 = 8.5 x 10(-10) M), and thus was not specific for renin. The reduction of the beta-carbonyl group to methylene group in beta-carbonylpropionyl residue at P4-P3 decreased the potency about 2 orders against human renin (5i: IC50 = 1.1 x 10(-7) M vs. 1: IC50 = 2.4 x 10(-9) M). These results confirmed the rationality of our analysis of the interaction between an orally potent human renin inhibitor 1 and the active site of human renin using modeling techniques, showing that 1 fits the active site of renin favorably. The experimental details of the synthesis are presented.

Epoxidation of androsta-5,16-dien-3 beta-ol by hepatic microsomal lipid peroxidation

Male rat liver microsomes oxidized androsta-5,16-dien-3 beta-ol (delta 16-ANDO) to delta 16-ANDO-5,6 alpha-, -5,6 beta-, -16,17 alpha-, and -16,17 beta-epoxides and delta 16-ANDO-5 alpha,6 beta-, -16 alpha,17 beta-, and -16 beta,17 alpha-glycols in the presence of an NADPH-generating system and the microsomal lipid peroxidation accelerator, Fe2+-ADP. The hepatic microsomes hydrolyzed all the delta 16-ANDO epoxides to the glycols. delta 16-ANDO-5 alpha,6 beta-glycol was the sole metabolite from both 5,6 alpha- and 5,6 beta-epoxides. Microsomal epoxide hydrolase also hydrolyzed delta 16-ANDO-16,17 alpha-epoxide specifically to the 16 beta,17 alpha-glycol and the isomeric 16,17 beta-epoxide to the 16 alpha,17 beta- and 16 beta,17 alpha-glycols approximately in the equal ratio. The delta 5-epoxidation of delta 16-ANDO by microsomes occurred only under the conditions that lipid peroxidation took place. Direct evidence was obtained for the participation of microsomal lipid hydroperoxides in the epoxidation of delta 16-ANDO by using photochemically prepared hydroperoxides of phospholipids separated from the hepatic microsomes. The hydroperoxides generated active oxygens, tentatively assigned as alk(ylper)oxy radicals, by the action of ferrous ion and epoxidized delta 16-ANDO to afford the 5,6- and 16,17-epoxides. The Fe2+-ADP-mediated epoxidation of delta 16-ANDO by the phospholipid hydroperoxides occurred preferentially at delta 5 to delta 16 and afforded the 5,6 beta-epoxide in a higher ratio than the 5,6 alpha-epoxide, similar to the Fe2+-ADP-mediated microsomal epoxidation, while the alpha-epoxide was preferentially formed to the beta-epoxide for delta 16 in the epoxidation by both systems.

A mechanism for epoxidation of cholesterol by hepatic microsomal lipid hydroperoxides

Evidence was obtained, using cis-stilbene as a model substrate, for the participation of peroxy and/or oxy radicals in epoxidation of cholesterol by rat liver microsomal phospholipid hydroperoxides and a ferrous ion-ADP complex. Under the conditions used, cholesterol was epoxidised to the alpha- and beta-epoxides in the ratio 1:2-4, and cis-stilbene to trans-stilbene oxide without concomitant formation of the cis-oxide. Microsomal phospholipid hydroperoxides could be replaced with methyllinoleate monohydroperoxide for the epoxidation of both substrates. The hydroperoxide-mediated epoxidations were completely inhibited by alpha-tocopherol and t-butylhydroxyanisole. A GLC study suggested that highly polyunsaturated fatty acyl constituents of the microsomal phospholipids might play an important role in epoxidation of the olefinic substrates.

Mouse liver microsomal cholesterol epoxide hydrolase: a specific inhibition of its activity by 5,6 alpha-Imino-5 alpha-cholestan-3 alpha-OL

A comparative study on mouse liver epoxide hydrolase activities has been done by using enzyme inhibitors in order to obtain evidence for the specificity of microsomal cholesterol epoxide hydrolase. 5,6 alpha-Imino-5 alpha-cholestan-3 beta-ol (IC) strongly inhibited the microsomal hydrolysis of cholesterol alpha-epoxide and the other delta 5-steroid alpha-epoxides (0.1 mM each) at concentrations less than 1 microM but affected neither microsomal nor cytosolic hydrolysis of any other epoxides of endogenous and exogenous compounds (0.1 mM each). On the other hand, 3,3,3-trichloropropene 1,2-oxide (TCPO) did not inhibited the microsomal hydrolysis of delta 5-steroid alpha-epoxides but strongly inhibited both microsomal and cytosolic hydrolysis of the other epoxides used. The only exceptions for the epoxy substrates that were not affected by both inhibitors were 5 alpha-cholest-2-ene alpha- and beta-epoxides. The inhibition by IC of the microsomal cholesterol alpha-epoxide hydrolysis was competitive, but no significant inhibition of the enzyme activity was observed by the typical microsomal xenobiotic substrates, hexadecene oxide and benzo[a]pyrene 4,5-oxide. These results strongly suggest that the microsomal enzyme hydrolyzing cholesterol alpha-epoxide differs from the microsomal hydrolase for epoxides of various xenobiotic olefins and arenes.