Explore the vast range of titles available.

PurposeThis investigation was to compare differences in skeletal muscle oxygen consumption (mV˙O2) and mitochondrial recovery between voluntary (VOL) and electrically stimulated (ES) plantarflexion contractions. MethodsTwelve men and women (26 ± 4.0 years; 171.8 ± 5.1 cm; 74.0 ± 13.7 kg) were seated in a chair with their right knee fully extended and right foot secured to a force transducer. ES electrodes and a near-infrared spectroscopy device were placed on the gastrocnemius. Participants performed ES plantarflexion contractions across a range of stimulation intensities at frequencies of 1 and 2 Hz and similar VOL contractions. Cuff occlusion occurred immediately following each series of contractions to measure mV˙O2. A standardized mitochondrial function assessment protocol was also performed to calculate K-constants between work-matched ES and VOL contractions. ResultsFor mitochondrial assessments, there were no significant differences between ES and VOL rate constants (2.03 ± 0.98 vs. 1.25 ± 1.35 min−1, p = 0.266). ES resulted in a significantly greater workrate-mV˙O2 slope at 1 Hz (0.007 ± 0.007 vs. 0.001 ± 0.002% mV˙O2/s/N, p = 0.014) and 2 Hz (0.010 ± 0.010 vs. 0.001 ± 0.001% mV˙O2/s/N, p = 0.012), as well as a significantly greater workrate-mV˙O2 Y-intercept at 2 Hz (1.603 ± 1.513 vs. 0.556 ± 0.564% mV˙O2/s, p = 0.035) but not 1 Hz (0.579 ± 0.448 vs. 0.442 ± 0.357% mV̇O2/s, p = 0.535) when compared to VOL. ConclusionES results in a significantly greater mV˙O2 at similar work rates compared to VOL, however, the mitochondrial recovery rate constants were similar. The greater mVO2 with ES may partially contribute to the increased rate of fatigue during ES exercise in individuals with muscle paralysis.

With the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country, rural Appalachia has experienced a decades-long health decline, due in part to high smoking rates. Cigarette smoking prevalence exceeds 30% in much of the region. Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs), which contain nicotine but no tobacco, present an unexplored opportunity to reduce cigarette smoking and cancer incidence. We outline the protocol for the Appalachian Research to Impact Smoking's Effects (ARISE) study, a randomized controlled trial to determine whether ONPs affect cigarette smoking patterns short- and long-term, and to evaluate their abuse liability versus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in a large sample of Appalachian smokers (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06763536). Between 2025 and 2029, we will recruit 1,000 adult smokers living in rural Appalachian counties across 11 states. Participants will be identified via media outreach, mobile cancer screening, community events, and respondent-driven sampling, then randomized to ONP or NRT and complete four study phases: Baseline, Sampling, Switch, and Observation. In the Sampling phase, participants will receive varied flavors and nicotine strengths of their assigned product and select preferred options for use. During the Switch Phase, they will attempt to quit smoking and switch completely to their assigned product. The Observation phase will monitor tobacco use after discontinuation of study products. Study procedures will be conducted online and by mail, including surveys, expired carbon monoxide verification, and product delivery. The primary outcome is 7-day biochemically verified cigarette abstinence at the end of the Switch Phase. Secondary outcomes include switching rates, product appeal, craving, withdrawal, dependence, and purchases during the Observation phase. An intention-to-treat log-binomial regression model will estimate the effect of intervention assignment on cigarette abstinence. Results will inform whether and how ONPs should be regulated, approached clinically, and used in public health interventions to reduce the burdens of cigarette smoking in Appalachia.

Background: Postprandial lipemia (PPL) is a cardiovascular disease risk factor. However, the effects of different fat sources on PPL remain unclear. We aimed to determine the postprandial response in triglycerides (TG) to four dietary fat sources in adults. Methods: Participants completed four randomized meal trials. For each meal trial, participants (n = 10; 5M/5F) consumed a high-fat meal (HFM) (13 kcal/kg; 61% of total kcal from fat) with the fat source derived from butter, coconut oil, olive oil, or canola oil. Blood was drawn hourly for 6 h post-meal to quantify PPL. Results: Two-way ANOVA of TG revealed a time effect (p < 0.0001), but no time–meal interaction (p = 0.56), or meal effect (p = 0.35). Meal trials did not differ with regard to TG total (p = 0.33) or incremental (p = 0.14) area-under-the-curve. When stratified by sex and the TG response was averaged across meals, two-way ANOVA revealed a time effect (p < 0.0001), time–group interaction (p = 0.0001), and group effect (p = 0.048), with men exhibiting a greater response than women, although this difference could be attributed to the pronounced difference in BMI between men and women within the sample. Conclusion: In our sample of young adults, postprandial TG responses to a single HFM comprised of different fat sources did not differ.

Background: Meniscal tear in older adults often accompanies knee osteoarthritis and is commonly treated with arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) when patients have persistent pain after a trial of physical therapy. Cross-sectional evidence suggests that synovitis is associated with baseline pain in this patient population, but little is known about the relationship between synovitis and postoperative recovery or progression of knee osteoarthritis. Purpose/Hypothesis: Intra-articular extended-release triamcinolone may reduce inflammation and thereby improve outcomes and slow disease progression. This article presents the rationale behind the Corticosteroid Meniscectomy Trial (CoMeT) and describes its study design and implementation strategies. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Methods: CoMeT is a 2-arm, 3-center, randomized placebo-controlled trial designed to establish the clinical efficacy of extended-release triamcinolone administered via intra-articular injection immediately after APM. The primary outcome is change in Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score Pain subscore at 3-month follow-up. Synovial biopsy, joint fluid aspirate, and urine and blood sample analyses will examine the associations between various objective measures of baseline inflammation and pre- and postoperative outcome measures and clinical responses to triamcinolone intervention. Quantitative 3-T magnetic resonance imaging will evaluate cartilage and meniscal composition and 3-dimensional bone shape to detect early joint degeneration. Results: We discuss methodologic innovations and challenges. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first randomized double-blind clinical trial that will analyze the effect of extended-release triamcinolone acetonide on pain, magnetic resonance imaging measures of structural change and effusion/synovitis, soluble biomarkers, and synovial tissue transcriptomics after APM.

Previous investigations have reported a relationship between skeletal muscle phenotype and motor unit (MU) firing parameters during submaximal contractions. The purpose of the current investigation, however, was to examine the relationships between motor unit firing behavior during a maximal voluntary contraction, Myosin Heavy Chain (MHC) isoform content, and various molecular neuromuscular targets of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle in resistance‐trained men. Ten resistance‐trained males completed a trapezoidal ramp contraction up to 100% of their maximal voluntary isometric strength (MVIC). Surface electromyography was recorded from the VL using a multichannel electrode array and decomposed to examine the firing characteristics of individual MUs. A skeletal muscle biopsy of the VL was also collected from each subject. Regression analyses were performed to identify relationships between type II fiber area and the slopes and/or intercepts of the mean firing rate (FRMEAN) versus recruitment threshold (RT), max firing rate (FRMAX) versus RT, and RT versus MU action potential amplitude (MUAPPP) relationships. There were significant inverse relationships between type II fiber area and the y‐intercept of the FR versus RT relationship (P < 0.05). Additionally, strong relationships (r > 0.5) were found between type II fiber area and FRMEAN versus RT slope and RT versus MUAPPP slope and intercept. These data further support the hypothesis that skeletal muscle phenotype is related to MU behavior during isometric contraction. However, our data, in concert with previous investigations, may suggest that these relationships are influenced by the intensity of the contraction. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the relationships between motor unit firing behavior during a maximal voluntary contraction, myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content, and various molecular neuromuscular targets of the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle in resistance‐trained men. Our results support the hypothesis that skeletal muscle phenotype is related to MU behavior during isometric contraction. However, our data, in concert with previous investigations, may suggest that these relationships are influenced by the intensity of the contraction.

Two different studies were completed as part of this dissertation. First we examined the effects of EIMD on muscle strength, microvascular and mitochondrial function following 1, 24, and 48 after exercise. Seventeen young individuals completed both an electrical stimulation (ES) and voluntary (VOL) conditions. Assessments were performed at baseline, 1, 24, and 48 hours after exercise. Muscle strength decreased from baseline and remained lower from 1-48H after ES compared to VOL. Perceived recovery decreased after ES compared to VOL from baseline to 48H, and muscle quality was lower in both conditions. Soreness and muscle size increased following ES exercise compared to VOL. Microvascular function was reduced following sPLM after ES exercise compared to VOL. Mitochondrial capacity was impaired only after ES from baseline through 48H. Collectively, EIMD from ES impairs microvascular and mitochondrial capacity compared to VOL exercise. Next, we examined superficial femoral artery diameter during the exercise to evaluate changes in diameter and blood flow. The same individuals completed this study. Assessments were completed at baseline, and contractions 1,5,10,15,20,25,30,35, and 40. Antegrade and retrograde flow were quantified at baseline and each contraction stated above, and vascular conductance was calculated. No differences were detected for diameter, net blood flow increased after both conditions with the greatest flow occurring after ES. ES resulted in a greater increase antegrade flow and reduced retrograde flow. After the 20 contraction ES elicited greater conductance than VOL. The hypothesis was not supported, and there was no vasoconstriction. ES resulted in greater net blood flow.

BackgroundWith the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country, rural Appalachia has experienced a decades-long health decline, due in part to high smoking rates. Cigarette smoking prevalence exceeds 30% in much of the region. Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs), which contain nicotine but no tobacco, present an unexplored opportunity to reduce cigarette smoking and cancer incidence.ObjectivesWe outline the protocol for the Appalachian Research to Impact Smoking's Effects (ARISE) study, a randomized controlled trial to determine whether ONPs affect cigarette smoking patterns short- and long-term, and to evaluate their abuse liability versus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in a large sample of Appalachian smokers (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT06763536).MethodsBetween 2025 and 2029, we will recruit 1,000 adult smokers living in rural Appalachian counties across 11 states. Participants will be identified via media outreach, mobile cancer screening, community events, and respondent-driven sampling, then randomized to ONP or NRT and complete four study phases: Baseline, Sampling, Switch, and Observation. In the Sampling phase, participants will receive varied flavors and nicotine strengths of their assigned product and select preferred options for use. During the Switch Phase, they will attempt to quit smoking and switch completely to their assigned product. The Observation phase will monitor tobacco use after discontinuation of study products. Study procedures will be conducted online and by mail, including surveys, expired carbon monoxide verification, and product delivery. The primary outcome is 7-day biochemically verified cigarette abstinence at the end of the Switch Phase. Secondary outcomes include switching rates, product appeal, craving, withdrawal, dependence, and purchases during the Observation phase. An intention-to-treat log-binomial regression model will estimate the effect of intervention assignment on cigarette abstinence.ConclusionsResults will inform whether and how ONPs should be regulated, approached clinically, and used in public health interventions to reduce the burdens of cigarette smoking in Appalachia.

Conclusions: No Nigmspora spp. molds were found among any of the present blue honey samples that were analyzed by fungus culturing, and neither were any of the other common sooty molds, Aureba.skiium spp., Capnodiurn spp., Cladosporium spp., Epicoccurnspp., hisariumspp., Glomerella spp., Lirnacinula spp., Scorias spp., typically seen in blue honey.

The dynamic control of thermal transport properties in solids must contend with the fact that phonons are inherently broadband. Thus, efforts to create reversible thermal conductivity switches have resulted in only modest on/off ratios, since only a relatively narrow portion of the phononic spectrum is impacted. Here, we report on the ability to modulate the thermal conductivity of topologically networked materials by nearly a factor of four following hydration, through manipulation of the displacement amplitude of atomic vibrations. By varying the network topology, or crosslinked structure, of squid ring teeth-based bio-polymers through tandem-repetition of DNA sequences, we show that this thermal switching ratio can be directly programmed. This on/off ratio in thermal conductivity switching is over a factor of three larger than the current state-of-the-art thermal switch, offering the possibility of engineering thermally conductive biological materials with dynamic responsivity to heat.

As the length scales of materials decrease, the heterogeneities associated with interfaces become almost as important as the surrounding materials. This has led to extensive studies of emergent electronic and magnetic interface properties in superlattices 1 – 9 . However, the interfacial vibrations that affect the phonon-mediated properties, such as thermal conductivity 10 , 11 , are measured using macroscopic techniques that lack spatial resolution. Although it is accepted that intrinsic phonons change near boundaries 12 , 13 , the physical mechanisms and length scales through which interfacial effects influence materials remain unclear. Here we demonstrate the localized vibrational response of interfaces in strontium titanate–calcium titanate superlattices by combining advanced scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging and spectroscopy, density functional theory calculations and ultrafast optical spectroscopy. Structurally diffuse interfaces that bridge the bounding materials are observed and this local structure creates phonon modes that determine the global response of the superlattice once the spacing of the interfaces approaches the phonon spatial extent. Our results provide direct visualization of the progression of the local atomic structure and interface vibrations as they come to determine the vibrational response of an entire superlattice. Direct observation of such local atomic and vibrational phenomena demonstrates that their spatial extent needs to be quantified to understand macroscopic behaviour. Tailoring interfaces, and knowing their local vibrational response, provides a means of pursuing designer solids with emergent infrared and thermal responses. The vibrational states emerging at the interface in oxide superlattices are characterized theoretically and at atomic resolution, showing the impact of material length scales on structure and vibrational response.