Responses to oral glucose challenge differ by physical activity volume and intensity: A pilot study

BackgroundOne-hour postprandial hyperglycemia is associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Physical activity (PA) has short-term beneficial effects on post-meal glucose response. This study compared the oral glucose tolerance test results of 3 groups of people with habitually different levels of PA.MethodsThirty-one adults without diabetes (age 25.9 ± 6.6 years; body mass index 23.8 ± 3.8 kg/m²; mean ± SD) were recruited and divided into 3 groups based on self-reported PA volume and intensity: low activity < 30 min/day of moderate-intensity activity (n = 11), moderately active ≥ 30 min/day of moderate-intensity PA (n = 10), and very active ≥ 60 min/day of PA at high intensity (n = 10). Participants completed an oral glucose tolerance test (50 g glucose) with capillary blood samples obtained at baseline, 15 min, 30 min, 45 min, 60 min, 90 min, and 120 min post-ingestion.ResultsThere were no significant differences between groups for age or body fat percentage or glycated hemoglobin (p > 0.05). The groups were significantly different in terms of baseline glucose level (p = 0.003) and, marginally, for gender (p = 0.053) and BMI (p = 0.050). There was a statistically significant effect of PA on the 1-h postprandial glucose results (p = 0.029), with differences between very active and low activity groups (p = 0.008) but not between the moderately active and low activity groups (p = 0.360), even when baseline glucose level and gender differences were accounted for. For incremental area under the curve there was no significant effect of activity group once gender and body fat percentage had been accounted for (p = 0.401). Those in the low activity group took 15 min longer to reach peak glucose level than those in the very active group (p = 0.012).ConclusionThe results suggest that high levels of PA have a beneficial effect on postprandial blood glucose profiles when compared to low and moderate levels of activity.     

New physics searches at the BESIII experiment

The standard model (SM) of particle physics, comprised of the unified electroweak and quantum chromodynamic theories, accurately explains almost all experimental results related to the micro-world, and has made a number of predictions for previously unseen particles, most notably the Higgs scalar boson, that were subsequently discovered. As a result, the SM is currently universally accepted as the theory of the fundamental particles and their interactions. However, in spite of its numerous successes, the SM has a number of apparent shortcomings, including: many free parameters that must be supplied by experimental measurements; no mechanism to produce the dominance of matter over antimatter in the universe; and no explanations for gravity, the dark matter in the universe, neutrino masses, the number of particle generations, etc. Because of these shortcomings, there is considerable incentive to search for evidence for new, non-SM physics phenomena that might provide important clues about what a new, beyond the SM theory (BSM) might look like. Although the center-of-mass energies that BESIII can access are far below the energy frontier, searches for new, BSM physics are an important component of its research program. This report reviews some of the highlights from BESIII’s searches for signs of new, BSM physics by: measuring rates for processes that the SM predicts to be forbidden or very rare; searching for non-SM particles such as dark photons; performing precision tests of SM predictions; and looking for violations of the discrete symmetries C and CP in processes for which the SM expectations are immeasurably small.     

The KAIT with developmental students,honor students,and freshmen

The KAIT (Kaufman Adolescent and Adult Intelligence Test) is a relatively new test of intelligence. This paper explores its use in a southwestern university with three different student groups. The results are reported and implications noted.     

Utility of P-SEP,sTREM-1 and suPAR as Novel Sepsis Biomarkers in SARS-CoV-2 Infection

The coronavirus disease 2019 is a highly contagious viral infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus, member of coronaviridae family. It causes life threatening complications due to complexity and rapid onset course of the disease. Early identification of high-risk patients who require close monitoring and aggressive treatment remains challengeable till date. Novel biomarkers which help to identify high risk patients at the early stage is high priority. Objective of this review to find utility of P-SEP, sTREM-1 and suPAR for diagnosis, risk stratification and prognosis of SARS-CoV-2 infected cases. Soluble receptors like, P-SEP, sTREM-1 and suPAR have been involved in immune regulation in SARS-CoV-2 infection and elevate more in severe cases. A comprehensive research of databases like PubMed, EMBASE, CNKI and Web of Science was performed for relevant studies. A total of nine out of fifteen research literature in initial screening were included for this review. Interestingly all studies have reported high levels of P-SEP, sTREM-1 and suPAR in SARS-CoV-2 infected cases and the biomarkers positively correlated with severity of infection. This implies that P-SEP, sTREM-1 and suPAR can be implemented as surrogate marker in blood profile for early diagnosis, risk stratification and prognosis in SARS-CoV-2 for better management in Indian population at the current situation.     

Analyzing and Selecting Instructional Strategies and Tactics

“Formulation of instructional strategy to match subject matter and learner requirements” is an integral part of most instructional design models (Andrews & Goodson, 1980, p.5). Yet the meaning and purpose of instructional strategies in these design models vary considerably. An instructional strategy in traditional design models usually refers to the selection of instructional delivery vehicles (e.g., lecture, demonstration, computer-assisted instruction) and support activities (e.g., practice exercises, tutoring) (cf. Tracey, Flynn, <& Legere, 1970). Contrast those conceptions with the many instructional strategies described in elaboration theory (Reigeluth & Stein, 1983), such as sub-sumptive sequencing, internally consistent orienting structures, synthesizers, summarizers, and cognitive strategy activators. What is obvious from these disparate conceptions is that instructional designers do not share a consistent definition of instructional strategies. Many of the activities that are referred to as instructional strategies are not in fact strategies, but rather are presentation vehicles. In this article, we first define instructional strategies and tactics in the context of an iterative design model. Instructional strategies are then distinguished from instructional tactics, which are the implementation of strategies. We then list the range of instructional strategies and tactics that implement them. Finally, we provide a decision tree for assisting designers to select appropriate instructional tactics.     

The effects of a calf pump device on second half performance of a simulated soccer match in competitive youth players

During soccer matches, performance decrements have been reported that relate to both physical abilities and technical skills. To investigate the effects of low-frequency electrical stimulation LFES (VeinoplusSport®, Ad Rem Technology, France) administered during half-time recovery on performance alterations during the second half. Twenty-two highly trained young players undertook a soccer-match simulation (SAFT⁹⁰). During half-time, they were randomly assigned to LFES group or Placebo group. Each half was split into 3 bouts of 12 minutes. Following each bout, maximal strike speed (MSS), sprint test (ST), maximal sprint accelerations (MA) and metabolic power (MP) were determined in both groups. Arterial (AF) and venous flows (VF) were measured at rest and at the end of half-time. LEFS group exhibited beneficial effects on performance compared to the Placebo group with a likely effect for MSS, ST, MA, and a possible effect for MP. AF and VF increased statistically more in LEFS group compared to Placebo group. The use of specific calf-pump LFES during half-time of a youth simulated soccer match attenuated the decrease in performance during the second half compared to Placebo group. This effect is most marked at the beginning of the second half with regards to explosive parameters.     

The biomechanical characteristics of high-performance endurance running

The biomechanical profile of high-level endurance runners may represent a useful model that could be used for developing training programmes designed to improve running style. This study, therefore, sought to compare the biomechanical characteristics of high-performance and recreational runners. Kinematic and kinetic measurements were taken during overground running from a cohort of 14 high-performance (8 male) and 14 recreational (8 male) runners, at four speeds ranging from 3.3 to 5.6?m?s^?1. Two-way ANOVA analysis was then used to explore group and speed effects and principal component analysis used to explore the interdependence of the tested variables. The data showed the high-performance runners to have a gait style characterised by an increased vertical velocity of the centre of mass and a flight time that was 11% longer than the recreational group. The high-performance group were also observed to adopt a forefoot strike pattern, to contact the ground with their foot closer to their body and to have a larger ankle moment. Importantly, although observed group differences were mostly independent of speed, the tested variables showed a high degree of interdependence suggesting an underlying unitary phenomenon. This is the first study to compare high-performance and recreational runners across a full range of kinematic and kinetic variables. The results suggest that high-performance runners maintain stride length with a prolonged aerial phase, rather than by landing with a more extended knee. These findings motivate future intervention studies that should investigate whether recreational runners could benefit from instruction to decrease shank inclination at foot contact.     

No effect of HMB or α-HICA supplementation on training-induced changes in body composition

β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (calcium: HMB-Ca and free acid: HMB-FA) and α-hydroxyisocaproic acid (α-HICA) are leucine metabolites that have been proposed to improve body composition and strength when combined with resistance exercise training (RET). In this double-blind randomized controlled pragmatic trial, we evaluated the effects of off-the-shelf supplements: α-HICA, HMB-FA and HMB-Ca, on RET-induced changes in body composition and performance. Forty men were blocked randomized to receive α-HICA (n?=?10, fat-free mass [FFM]?=?62.0?±?7.1?kg), HMB-FA (n?=?11, FFM?=?62.7?±?10.5?kg), HMB-Ca (n?=?9, FFM?=?65.6?±?10.1?kg) or placebo (PLA; n?=?10, FFM?=?64.2?±?5.7?kg). The training protocol consisted of a whole-body resistance training routine, thrice weekly for 8 weeks. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and total body water (TBW) by whole-body bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS), both at baseline and at the end of weeks 4 and 8. Time-dependent changes were observed for increase in trunk FFM (p?相似文献