Yes / Life in a seasonally variable environment has evolved to interpret the time of year through day length (photoperiod) which is translated into a neurochemical signal. In mammals, the pars tuberalis is a key site where seasonal time signal (melatonin) interfaces and relays photoperiodic information to the hypothalamus via thyrotropin. Recent work has elucidated a potential circannual clock in ‘calendar cells’ of the pars tuberalis. In the hypothalamus, tanycytes are an integral part of the hypothalamic network. Previous studies show the importance of local synthesis of thyroid hormone and retinoic acid in tanycytes. Recently novel downstream neuroendocrine signals, e.g. VGF, FGF21 and chemerin, were identified to govern seasonally appropriate phenotype. Additionally, the hypothalamic-pituitary-growth axis has been implicated in seasonally bodyweight and torpor regulation. Here, we will focus on the endocrine drivers of photoperiod response and highlight novel downstream effects on bodyweight and growth focusing on recent findings from seasonal rodent studies.

Introduction: Brief vigorous exercise can enhance glycemic control. Limited work has investigated the effect of simple, practical interventions that require no specialized equipment. We examined the effect of bodyweight exercise (BWE) on acute glycemic control using continuous glucose monitoring (Abbott Libre Sense) under controlled dietary conditions This study was registered as a clinical trial (NCT05144490). Methods: Twenty-seven healthy adults (8 males, 19 females; age: 23±3 y) completed two virtually supervised trials in random order ~1 wk apart. The trials involved an 11-min BWE protocol that consisted of five, 1-min bouts performed at a self-selected pace interspersed with 1-min active recovery periods or a non-exercise sitting control period (CON). Food intake was standardized for each participant using pre-packaged meals supplied over 24 h. Results: Mean rating of perceived exertion for BWE was 14±2 (6-20 scale). Mean HR over the 11-minute the BWE protocol was 147±14 bpm which corresponded to 75% of age-predicted maximal HR. Mean 24-h glucose after BWE and CON was not different (5.0±0.4 vs 5.0±0.5 mM respectively; p=0.39). Postprandial glucose responses were also not different between trials after ingestion of a 75 g glucose drink, lunch, dinner and breakfast meals after each intervention. Measures of glycemic variability were not different between conditions. Conclusion: A single session of BWE did not alter acute glycemic control in healthy, young adults. This study demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a remotely supervised BWE intervention using CGM under free-living conditions. Future studies should investigate the effect of repeated sessions of BWE training as well as responses in people with impaired glycemic control. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc) / We investigated the effect of brief bodyweight exercise (BWE) on glycemic control. This refers to the ability to maintain blood sugar within a healthy range. Glycemic control was assessed with a small device called a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) that is inserted just below the skin. Healthy adults completed a virtually supervised 11-minute BWE protocol or an equivalent period of sitting. There was no difference in glycemic control measured over 24 hours following the BWE compared to sitting under standardized dietary conditions. Future studies should investigate the effect of repeated sessions of BWE training as well as responses in people with impaired glycemic control.

Yes / Chemerin is an adipokine involved in inflammation, adipogenesis, angiogenesis and energy metabolism, and has been hypothesized as a link between obesity and type II diabetes. In humans affected by obesity, chemerin gene expression in peripheral tissues and circulating levels are elevated. In mice, plasma levels of chemerin are upregulated by high-fat feeding and gain and loss of function studies show an association of chemerin with body weight, food intake and glucose homeostasis. Therefore, chemerin is an important blood-borne mediator that, amongst its other functions, controls appetite and body weight. Almost all studies of chemerin to date have focused on its release from adipose tissue and its effects on peripheral tissues with the central effects largely overlooked. To demonstrate a central role of chemerin, we manipulated chemerin signaling in the hypothalamus, a brain region associated with appetite regulation, using pharmacological and genetic manipulation approaches. Firstly, the selective chemerin receptor CMKLR1 antagonist α-NETA was administered i.c.v. to rats to test for an acute physiological effect. Secondly, we designed a short-hairpin-RNA (shRNA) lentivirus construct targeting expression of CMKLR1. This shRNA construct, or a control construct was injected bilaterally into the arcuate nucleus of male Sprague Dawley rats on high-fat diet (45%). After surgery, rats were maintained on high-fat diet for 2 weeks and then switched to chow diet for a further 2 weeks. We found a significant weight loss acutely and inhibition of weight gain chronically. This difference became apparent after diet switch in arcuate nucleus-CMKLR1 knockdown rats. This was not accompanied by a difference in blood glucose levels. Interestingly, appetite-regulating neuropeptides remained unaltered, however, we found a significant reduction of the inflammatory marker TNF-α suggesting reduced expression of CMKLR1 protects from high-fat diet induced neuroinflammation. In white and brown adipose tissue, mRNA expression of chemerin, its receptors and markers of adipogenesis, lipogenesis and brown adipocyte activation remained unchanged confirming that the effects are driven by the brain. Our behavioral analyses suggest that knockdown of CMKLR1 had an impact on object recognition. Our data demonstrate that CMKLR1 is functionally important for the central effects of chemerin on body weight regulation and neuroinflammation. / This work was funded in part by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Wellcome Trust, the Government of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the British Heart Foundation and Diabetes United Kingdom [SBF004/1063] (GH), the Society for Endocrinology Equipment Grant (GH, RD), the University of Bradford (GH, KP, SK) and Nottingham Trent University (RD).

SUMMARY Background: Ruffianly behaviour is spreading between Lithuanian children. Ruffianly behaviour include these forms of behaviour – teasing, intimidation, physical spoliation, ostracism, backbiting (gossips), and sexual harassment. Relevancy of this research is that intercommunion between schoolchildren and connection with above-mentioned factors, in Lithuania in not widely investigated problem, in comparison with research of other health risk factors. This problem attracting more attention because of that teasing is reputed factor in teen eating disturbance (bulimia, anorexia). It is been found, that children, who been teased because of their physical appearance (body weight, constitution, clothing), where more depressed, had self-destructive tendency, where more self-contained and had problems of communication. Not objective body weight evaluation is one of factors, witch determinate eating disturbance. Objective: identify objectivity of body weight evaluation and distribution of ruffianly behaviour between Kaunas city schoolchildren and develop dependence specifying the age and sex specific cut off points. Tasks: 1. Define objectivity of bodyweight evaluating; 2. Define ruffianly behaviour distribution between schoolchildren; 3. Define objectivity of bodyweight evaluating and ruffianly behaviour distribution between schoolchildren specifying the age; 4. Define objectivity of bodyweight evaluating and ruffianly behaviour distribution between... [to full text]

Video-based physical training has gained popularity over the years, among both sports practitioners and HCI researchers, whose works ranged from offering computer-assisted solutions for self-correction, to enhancing the learning experience of trainees. This thesis focused on the latter, by investigating the communicative potential of three categories of visual coaching cues and their impact on movement learning, as well as by deriving methodological considerations for similar works. This thesis adopted a Research through Design approach to investigate, from a trainee-centred perspective, three sets of cues: A) abstract visual metaphors (arrows, lines, angles); B) body highlights; and C) material visual metaphors (imagined 3D objects). The cues were informed by a professional trainer’s insights and relevant literature, and were tested with ten participants throughout the course of three sessions. Their reflections were gathered through interviews. The subsequent thematic analysis generated 1) insights on the individual cues (such as their role as reminders, their impact on imagery, and the movement qualities they were able to portray), and 2) design and methodological considerations for future works (such as the importance of involving a professional trainer, clearly defining the learning outcomes of a video session, and choosing the appropriate visual cues).

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T15:03:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 915483 bytes, checksum: 904719c41a2e1e3ab2844b35196ec661 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-17 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Species of genus Passiflora are documented in the literature as an anxiolytic and sedative agent. Although many studies assess the behavioral action of extracts of leaves of Passiflora, few studies have evaluated their behavioral and physiological effects of Passiflora edulis barks in the form of treatment and in natura. From this, the present research aimed to assess the behavioral and physiological effects of treatment with the bark flour of Passiflora edulis, thereby investigating their potential nutraceutical properties. Were utilized 40 adult male Wistar rats randomized into four groups: Control Group - CG, Albedo Group - AG, Flavedo Group - FG, Albedo + Flavedo Group AFG, which were treated (p.o) for 30 days with the bark of albedo flour (130mg/kg), diluted in filtered water and administered by gavage technique, flavedo and full bark of Passiflora edulis, albedo associated with flavedo. Weight gain and food consumption were monitored throughout the treatment. Behavioral changes were analyzed at the end of treatment (30 days) for testing in the Elevated Plus Maze, validated method to explore the neurobiological basis of anxiety, of Open Field, which evaluates the exploratory activity of animals and by means of Rota-Rod, which analyzes the coordination of animals. In the Elevated Plus Maze only the AFG (62,89 ± 22,06) had a greater time(s) spent in the open arms of the apparatus compared to CG (12,67 ± 5,09; p <0,05). The AFG (148,1 ± 26,02) in Open Field showed greater immobility time compared to both GC (24,00 ± 7,02; p <0,001) and the experimental groups treated with the albedo flour only (29,30 ± 7,57; p <0,001) and flavedo flour (39,00 ± 10,42; p <0,001). The median spaces traversed by the animals of AFG was 10,5 (percentile 6,5 - 20). Having these a smaller number of ambulation that GC, in which was observed a median of 31,5 (percentile 31 - 36,5), p <0,001 and the other experimental groups, AG and FG, which had a median of 32,0 (percentile 31 - 36,5) p <0,001 and 29,0 (percentile 24 - 38,5), p <0,01. The weight gain (g) of animals of AFG (79,6 ± 5,60) was 22,3% lower than the CG (102,8 ± 1,52). The animals of AG (86,3 ± 3,22) reduced weight gain by 16%. The treatments resulted in no anxiolytic nor alter the coordination of the animals but sedative effects were observed in AFG.Dietary intake of treated animals was not changed, but the weight gain was decreased in both animals the AFG, as in AG. Therefore, it is concluded that the complete bark flour of Passiflora edulis has sedative effects, without causing anxiolytic and muscle relaxation effects; and aids in reducing body weight gain, thus presenting nutraceutic properties. / Espécies do gênero Passiflora são documentadas na literatura como agente ansiolítico e sedativo. Apesar de estudos avaliarem a ação comportamental dos extratos das folhas da Passiflora, raros são os estudos que avaliaram os efeitos comportamentais e fisiológicos das cascas da Passiflora edulis na forma de tratamento e in natura. A partir disto, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar os efeitos comportamentais e fisiológicos do tratamento com a farinha da casca da Passiflora edulis, investigando desta forma suas possíveis propriedades nutracêuticas. Foram utilizados 40 ratos machos adultos da linhagem Wistar, randomizados em quatro grupos: Grupo Controle GC, Grupo Albedo GA, Grupo Flavedo GF, Grupo Albedo + Flavedo GAF, os quais foram tratados durante 30 dias com a farinha (130mg/kg), diluída em água filtrada e administrada pela técnica de gavagem, da casca do albedo, flavedo e da casca completa da Passiflora edulis, albedo associado ao flavedo. O ganho de peso e o consumo alimentar foram monitorados ao longo do tratamento. As alterações comportamentais foram analisadas no final do tratamento (30 dias) por meio do teste do Labirinto em cruz elevado, método validado para explorar as bases neurobiológicas da ansiedade, do Campo Aberto, o qual avalia a atividade exploratória dos animais e por meio do Rota-Rod, o qual analisa a coordenação motora dos animais. No Labirinto em Cruz Elevado apenas o GAF (62,89 ± 22,06) apresentou um maior tempo(s) de permanência nos braços abertos do aparelho em relação ao GC (12,67 ± 5,09; p<0,05). O GAF (148,1 ± 26,02) no Campo Aberto apresentou maior tempo de imobilidade quando comparado tanto ao GC (24,00 ± 7,02; p<0,001) como aos grupos experimentais tratados apenas com a farinha do albedo (29,30 ± 7,57; p<0,001) e a farinha do flavedo (39,00 ± 10,42; p<0,001). A mediana dos espaços percorrido pelos animais do GAF foi de 10,5 (percentil 6,5 - 20). Tendo estes um menor número de ambulação que o GC, o qual foi observado uma mediana de 31,5 (31-36,5), p<0,001 e aos demais grupos experimentais, GA e GF, os quais apresentaram uma mediana de 32,0 (percentil 31 36,5), p<0,001 e 29,0 (percentil 24 38,5), p<0,01. O ganho de peso(g) dos animais do GAF (79,6 ± 5,60) foi de 22,3% menor que o GC (102,8 ± 1,52). Já os animais do GA (86,3 ± 3,22) reduziram o ganho de peso em 16%. O tratamento não resultou em efeitos ansiolíticos, nem alterou a coordenação motora dos animais, mas efeitos sedativos foram observados no GAF. O consumo alimentar dos animais tratados não foi alterado, mas o ganho de peso foi diminuído tanto nos animais do GAF, quanto no GA. Portanto, conclui-se que a farinha da casca completa da Passiflora edulis apresenta efeito sedativo, sem provocar efeito ansiolítico e relaxamento muscular; e auxilia na diminuição do ganho de peso corporal, apresentando assim propriedades nutracêuticas.

Title: Bodyweight training in individuals with spinal cord injuries and the possibilities in usage of outdoor gyms in Prague Objectives: The aim of this diploma thesis was to compile a methodical series of bodyweight exercises suitable for people after spinal cord injury. It was also found out which of the Prague outdoor gyms are suitable for performing exercises from this methodical series and thus also for people using a wheelchair. Methods: The method of theoretical-critical analysis was used to compile the methodical series. Theoretical knowledge was applied in the selection and description of exercises. The methodical series is divided into groups of pulling and pushing exercises. Each of them contains descriptions of exercises, their modifications and photographs. Outdoor gyms was deliberately selected for research and quantitatively evaluated in the table. Selected outdoor gyms evaluated as suitable were qualitatively commented and supplemented with photographs. Results: The methodical series contains 12 exercises and photographs. In the description of the exercises, attention is paid to the key points in the implementation, the possibility of regression and progression of the exercise and the goal of the exercise. After the analysis of 39 Prague outdoor gyms, 12 suitable outdoor gyms were...

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work investigated the effect of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) sessions under bodyweight, food intake and biochemical parameters in Wistar rats fed normo fat (NF) and high fat (HF) diets. Forty rats were divided in two groups, which were fed a NF or a HF diet. Afterwards the rats were subdivided in four groups and submitted to intermittent hypoxia (IH) or normoxia (N) sessions for 30 days. Groups formed: NF/N, NF/IH, HF/N and HF/IH. The groups submitted to IHT followed this protocol: 15 minutes hypoxia, 10-15% inspired O2 and 5 minutes for reoxigenation). Sham group was exposed to the same conditions but with normal O2 concentrations (21%). Bodyweight and food intake were measured every two days. The rats were anesthetized on day 31 and the blood was sampled by cardiac punction for analyses. The biochemical parameters analyzed were: total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density cholesterol (HDL), glucose, lactate dehidrogenase (LDH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and muscle and hepatic glycogen. In regard to diets, the HF group promoted the biggest weight gain just in normoxia groups.The food intake decrease significantly in HF/IH subgroup compared to HF/N. Although the average of the corporal weight did not decrease significantly, the differences in percentages had shown a reduction in HF/IH subgroup. In the profile biochemist, the IHT only modified the LDH, increasing it in NF subgroup and the AST, diminishing it in HF subgroup. Our findings allow to suggest that the IHT can have a promising role in the prevention of the obesity and more studies are needed to evaluate its effect in the prevention/treatment of other diseases. / Este trabalho investigou o efeito de sessões de treinamento hipóxico intermitente (THI) sobre o peso corporal, consumo calórico e variáveis bioquímicas em ratos Wistar alimentados com dieta padrão (DP) ou dieta hipercalórica (DH). Quarenta ratos foram divididos em dois grupos e alimentados com DP ou DH. Na seqüência foram subdivididos em quatro grupos e submetidos às sessões de hipóxia intermitente (HI) ou normóxia (N) por 30 dias. Os grupos formados foram: DP/N, DP/HI, DH/N e DH/IH. Os grupos submetidos ao THI seguiram o seguinte protocolo: 15 minutos de hipóxia com a concentração de O2 inspirado variando entre 10 a 15% e 5 minutos para reoxigenação. Os grupos normóxia foram expostos às mesmas condições, porém com concentrações normais de O2 (21%). O peso corporal e o consumo de ração foram avaliados a cada dois dias. No dia 31, os animais foram anestesiados e o sangue foi coletado por punção cardíaca. As variáveis bioquímicas analisadas foram: colesterol total (CT), triglicerídeos (TG), lipoproteína de alta densidade (HDL), glicose, lactato desidrogenase (LDH), alanina aminotransferase (ALT), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), glicogênio muscular e hepático. Com relação às dietas, a DH promoveu maior ganho de peso somente nos grupos em normoxia. A ingesta calórica diminuiu significativamente no subgrupo DH/HI. Embora a média do peso corporal não tenha diminuído significativamente, as diferenças em percentagens mostraram uma redução no subgrupo DH/HI. No perfil bioquímico, o THI alterou somente a LDH, aumentando-a no subgrupo DP e a AST, diminuindo-a no subgrupo DH. Nossos achados permitem sugerir que o THI pode ter um papel promissor na prevenção da obesidade e mais estudos são necessários para avaliar seus efeitos na prevenção/tratamento de outras patologias.

This thesis explores the feasibility of developing an affordable and easy-to-use feed- back system that leverages information from multiple inertial measurement units (IMUs) to identify mistakes during upper body bodyweight training and provide real-time feedback to the user. To develop the system, a human-centered approach was used, which involved conducting semi-structured interviews with movement ex- perts and a workshop with targeted end-users to understand their needs. The study also involved 12 volunteers who performed push-ups, tricep dips, and planks cor- rectly and then made specific mistakes intentionally while wearing five IMUs. Binary and multiclass classifiers were developed to classify the exercise technique. The re- sults showed that personalized multiclass classifiers produced good to excellent quality results, while global classification techniques performed poorly. Additionally, an increased number of sensors did not always lead to improved classification re- sults, and the placement of the sensors could have a significant impact. The user in- put and evaluation of the feedback system pinpointed the need for customization and accessibility in the design. This thesis contributes to the development of a feedback system that can help users identify mistakes in their upper body bodyweight exer- cises and improve their form and technique. / Denna avhandling utforskar genomförbarheten att utveckla ett prisvärt och lättan- vänt feedbacksystem som utnyttjar information från flera inertiella mätenheter (IMU: er) för att identifiera misstag under överkroppsövningar med egen kroppsvikt och ge användaren realtidsfeedback. För att utveckla systemet användes en human- centrerad metod, som innefattade semistrukturerade intervjuer med rörelseexperter och en workshop med målinriktade slutanvändare för att förstå deras behov. Studien inkluderade också 12 frivilliga som utförde armhävningar, tricep dips och plankor korrekt och sedan medvetet gjorde specifika misstag medan de bar på fem IMU: er. Binära och flerklassklassificerare utvecklades för att klassificera övningstekniken. Resultaten visade att personliga flerklassklassificerare producerade bra till utmärkta resultat, medan globala klassificeringstekniker presterade dåligt. Dessutom ledde ett ökat antal sensorer inte alltid till förbättrade klassificeringsresultat, och placeringen av sensorerna kunde ha en betydande påverkan. Användarinput och utvärdering av feedbacksystemet pekade på behovet av anpassning och tillgänglighet i designen. Denna avhandling bidrar till utvecklingen av ett feedbacksystem som kan hjälpa an- vändare att identifiera misstag i sina överkroppsövningar med egen kroppsvikt och förbättra sin form och teknik.

Immune activation is generally acknowledged to be costly. These costs are frequently assumed to result from trade-offs arising due to the reallocation of resources from other life-history traits to be invested in immunity. Here, I investigated the energetic basis of the costs associated with immune activation in Drosophila melanogaster. I found that immune activation significantly reduced fly fecundity (45%) and also caused a decline in metabolic rate (6%) but had no effect on body weight. To understand the factors behind reduced fecundity and metabolic rate I measured feeding and found that food intake was reduced by almost 31% in immune-challenged D. melanogaster. These findings suggest that fecundity costs of immune activation result not from the commonly accepted resource reallocation hypothesis but probably because resource acquisition is impaired during immune responses. The individuals of any animal population generally vary greatly in their ability to resist infectious disease. This variation arises due to both environmental heterogeneity and genetic diversity. Genetic variation in disease susceptibility has generally been considered to lie in the nuclear genome. Here, for the first time, I explored the influence of mitochondrial genetic (mtDNA) variation on disease susceptibility. I crossed 22 mitochondrial haplotypes onto a single nuclear genome and also studied epistasis interactions between mitochondrial and nuclear genomes (mitonuclear epistasis) by crossing five haplotypes onto five different genetic backgrounds. I found that fly susceptibility to Serratia marcescens was influenced significantly by mtDNA allelic variation. Furthermore, the effect of mitonuclear epistasis on fly susceptibility to S. marcescens was twice as great as the individual effects of either mitochondrial or nuclear genome. However, susceptibility to Beauveria bassiana was not affected by mtDNA allelic variation. These findings suggest the mitochondrial genome may play an important role in host-parasite coevolution. The Mother’s Curse hypothesis suggests that sex-specific selection due to maternal mitochondrial inheritance means that mitochondria are poorly adapted to function in males, resulting in impaired male fitness. Mother’s Curse effects have previously only been studied for two phenotypic traits (sperm-infertility and ageing) and their generality for broader life-history has not been explored. I investigated the impact of mtDNA allelic variation on 10 phenotypic traits and tested whether the patterns of phenotypic variation in males and females conformed to the expectations of the Mother’s Curse hypothesis. I found that seven of the 10 traits were significantly influenced by mtDNA allelic variation. However, there was no evidence that the effects of this variation differed between males and females. I therefore concluded that Mother’s Curse is unlikely to be a general phenomenon, nor to provide a general explanation for sexual dimorphism in life-history traits. Overall, this thesis explored the impacts of immunity costs, mitochondrial genetic variation, mitonuclear epistasis and sex-specific mitochondrial selection on D. melanogaster life-history.