O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar as contribuições dos sistemas energéticos e do gasto energético total em situação de luta. A amostra foi composta de 10 atletas do sexo masculino de nível nacional/internacional (21±6 anos; 176.2±5.3cm; 67.2±9.0kg), competindo em nível internacional. Para a estimativa das contribuições energéticas e do gasto energético total, foram realizados três protocolos simulando combate (um round, dois rounds e três rounds). As lutas foram filmadas para quantificação das ações motoras em cada round. A estimativa dos sistemas energéticos aeróbio (WAER), anaeróbio alático (WPCR) e anaeróbio lático (W[La-]) foi realizada através do consumo de oxigênio durante a atividade, do delta da concentração sanguínea de lactato de cada round e do débito alático de oxigênio (DAO2), respectivamente. A razão entre as ações de elevada intensidade e momentos de baixa intensidade (step e pausa) no protocolo 3 foi ~1:7. Os resultados dos sistemas WAER, WPCR e W[La-] no protocolo 3 foi 120±22kJ (66±6%), 54±21kJ (30±6%), 8,5kJ (4±2%), respectivamente. Assim, as sessões de treinamento devem ser direcionadas principalmente para a melhoria do sistema anaeróbio alático (responsável pelas ações de alta intensidade), e do sistema aeróbio (responsável pelo processo de recuperação entre as ações de alta intensidade) / The purpose of this study was to investigate energy system contributions and energy cost in combat situation. The sample was constituted by 10 male taekwondo athletes at national/international level (age: 21±6 years old; height: 176.2±5.3cm; body mass: 67.2±9.0kg) competing at national/international level. To estimate the energy contributions and total energy cost of the fights, athletes performed a three different protocols simulated competition (1 round, 2 rounds and 3 rounds). The combats were filmed in order to quantify the actual time spent fighting in each round. The estimate of the aerobic (WAER), anaerobic alactic (WPCR) and anaerobic lactic (W[La-]) energy systems was carried out through the oxygen consumption during the activity, the fast component of excess post-exercise oxygen consumption, and the delta of blood lactate concentration in each round, respectively. The mean data between the high intensity actions and moments of low intensity (step and pause) was ~1:7. The results of WAER, WPCR and W[La-] system contributions were 120±22kJ (66±6%), 54±21kJ (30±6%), 8,5kJ (4±2%), respectively. Thus, training sessions should be directed mainly to the improvement of the anaerobic alactic system (responsible by the high-intensity actions), and of the aerobic system (responsible by the recovery process between high-intensity)

The Marine Corps Systems Command documented mission requirements that cannot be met by current rebreathers. They need to extend dive times without compromising the stealth and compact design of existing devices. This can be accomplished by reducing the fresh gas flow rate. The current flow rate is adequate to support a diver in heavy work. However, the diver will be utilizing a Diver Propulsion Device (DPD) during a large portion of the mission in question. The assumption, then, is that this portion of the mission will not require "hard work". Thus, a new fresh gas flow rate can be established which is sufficient to sustain a Marine diver using a DPD but is conservative enough to extend the duration of the dive. This experiment was designed for manned testing of the rebreathers in such a way to establish the average oxygen consumption rate for divers using a DPD. Marine divers were fitted with a Divex Shadow Excursion (DSE) rebreather modified with a Draeger C8A PO2 monitor coupled with a Delta P VR3 dive computer. The DSE is a semiclosed-circuit underwater breathing apparatus that provides a constant flow of mixed gas containing oxygen and nitrogen or helium to the diver. The partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) and diver depth were monitored and recorded at ten-second intervals. The Navy Experimental Diving Unit has developed and tested a computational algorithm that uses the PO2 and depth to compute the oxygen consumption rate. Two techniques were employed to estimate the error in this approach: curve fitting and propagation of error. These methods are detailed and the results are presented. They show that the fresh gas flow rate can be safely reduced while the diver is utilizing the DPD, which consequently, will substantially increase the dive time allowed by the device.

An important cause of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) is increased pulmonary blood flow (PBF). To gain a better understanding of the disease process, the changes in biochemical pathways and metabolism of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were studied using a unique surgical ovine model of increased pulmonary blood flow. PASMCs isolated from 4-week-old lambs with increased PBF (shunt) showed lower oxygen consumption rates and lower extracellular acidification rates linked to glutamine metabolism when compared to controls. Shunt and control PASMCs both exhibited a switch into the reverse tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, while only shunt cells showed a decrease of glucose being transformed into Acetyl CoA to enter the forward TCA cycle. Shunt PASMCs also demonstrated increased levels of yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression in the nucleus. These results indicate changes in glutamine metabolism, glucose metabolism, and protein signaling cascades associated with increased mechanical forces in the setting of increased PBF, as seen in PAH in children with CHD.

Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM) is an essential part of the food chain in aquatic ecosystems because it represents a readily available carbon and energy source. The process by which it decomposes in rivers has been well studied and documented. However, the rate and extent of biodegradability of various CPOM components (i.e., twigs, leaves, grass, etc.) in storm drains is not well understood. The Jordan River TMDL study identified storm water generated CPOM as a likely cause of low dissolved oxygen levels in the lower Jordan River, but recent investigations have suggested that dissolved organic matter generated from this CPOM in storm drains and culverts entering into the Jordan River, rather than the CPOM itself, is the main driver of oxygen impairment. The degradability of CPOM components transported and stored in the storm drain system was studied to understand its relative impact on dissolved oxygen and nutrient status in the Jordan River. Results indicate the generation of highly degradable organic material is a function of the starting CPOM, and oxygen consumption is associated with the dissolved portion of organic material leached from CPOM in water. Leaves and grass produced the highest levels of all parameters studied. Between 93% to 95% of total oxygen demand is generated within the first 1 to 3 hours of the 24 hour test. Chemical oxygen demand and dissolved organic carbon proved to be the best indicator of biochemical oxygen demand. By using the results of the leaching study an estimate of water quality indicator levels in the Jordan River was made, and was compared to levels in samples collected from the Jordan River. The estimate proved accurate for dissolved organic carbon but not for total or volatile suspended solids. Results of this study were used to discuss possible solutions to reduce oxygen demand in the Jordan River.

<p>Bird incubation is a natural phenomenon that balances the needs of the parents for nourishment with the needs of the fetus for heat provision and protection. In this context, any means of communication between the fetus and the parents would have an adaptive value. The aim of the study was to investigate whether putative means of fetomaternal communication would correlate to physiological changes caused by environmental alterations. Oxygen consumption was used to measure fetal well being and six independent variables associated with fetal vocalizations and fetal movements were used to evaluate their potential for communicating the fetus statu quo. Broiler fetuses (<em>Gallus gallus domesticus</em>) of three developmental stages (day 18, internally pipped and externally pipped) were challenged by a stepwise reduction in ambient temperature down to 30ºC. A linear drop in oxygen consumption in response to lowered temperatures was found in all three developmental stages indicating that the fetus was affected by the temperature changes. No differences correlating with temperature variations were found in any of the variables associated with fetal vocalization. Fetal vocalizations are consequently not used to communicate the thermal status of the fetus. Movement occurrence, movement intensity and ventilation frequency, however, followed a “maximum peak” trend, with a highest response at the third temperature interval (35.0-35.5ºC). Considering that the lower limit of optimal development is between 35-36ºC, the results suggest that fetal movements can be of potential use to the incubating parent to assess the well-being of the fetus.</p>

<p>Nitric oxide (NO) is an important chemical factor that controls vascular tone in the cardiovascular system. NO is a vasodilatory molecule that plays a role in blood pressure and blood flow regulation as well as vessel formation and tissue cell proliferation. NO influences the flow by which nutrients and other metabolites required for growth are transported to the tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate if NO, through mediation by the NO donors Sodium Nitroprusside (SNP) and S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) affect growth and oxygen consumption of prenatal broiler chicken. The results indicate that, although the treatments did not have clear significant effects on the embryos or the organs examined, a slight delay in development can be observed in the GSNO treatment embryos. The study could not conclude, however, if this was due to effects of NO donors</p>

<p>Several studies have reported beneficial effects of C-peptide supplementation in diabetic patients and animal models of insulinopenic diabetes. However, it is also established that good glycemic control is essential to minimize the risk of diabetes-induced complications. This thesis investigates potential mechanisms for the beneficial effect of C-peptide on glomerular hyperfiltration, and a novel, painless route of insulin administration.</p><p>The results demonstrate that both C-peptide and its C-terminal penta-peptide sequence reduce the diabetes-induced glomerular hyperfiltration within an hour. The results also indicate that C-peptide possibly reduces diabetes-induced hyperfiltration via three different mechanisms: 1. Constriction of the afferent arteriole was demonstrated on isolated vessels from diabetic mice. 2. A net dilation of the efferent arteriole was evident <i>in vivo</i>. 3. Inhibition of the Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase was demonstrated <i>in vivo</i> in diabetic rats as well as <i>in vitro</i> on isolated proximal tubular cells from diabetic rats. All these mechanisms are known regulators of the net glomerular filtration pressure.</p><p>The last part of this thesis demonstrates that intradermal administration with a newly developed patch-like microneedle device results in similar insulin concentration compared to standard subcutaneous delivery. </p><p>These findings provide an insight for the beneficial effects of C-peptide on diabetic kidney function, and shows that this effect can be achieved by infusion of the C-terminal penta-peptide sequence alone. This thesis also presents a novel, painless alternative to insulin injections that is controllable, requires minimal training, and therefore presents several advantages compared to current standard therapy.</p>

Coastal low oxygen areas are expanding globally and are predicted to increase in size and duration due to climatic changes associated with a warming ocean. The Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone (GoMHZ) is the second largest regularly occurring hypoxic habitat in the world and has increased in size since it was first mapped in the 1980s. The Mississippi Atchafalaya River System (MARS) floods the Louisiana continental shelf with fresh water high in nitrogenous compounds enhancing primary production which sinks to the sea floor. Stratification that occurs as a result of density differences and coastal currents creates a strong pycnocline that prevents bottom waters from being aerated causing seasonally hypoxic bottom waters (< 2.0 mg L^-1). The Mechanisms Controlling Hypoxia (MCH) project (hypoxia.tamu.edu) made regular cruises during 2004-2005 and 2007-2009 to the GoMHZ performing shelf wide hydrographic surveys and occupying central mooring sites within theoretical zones of differing hypoxic potential. Sediment cores were collected for incubation experiments using Batch Microincubation Chambers (BMICs) to measure rates of sediment community oxygen consumption and nutrient regeneration. Results of incubation experiments characterized sediments as net sources of dissolved inorganic nitrogen, mostly ammonium, and silicate and a net sink of phosphate. Modeling simulations of benthic-pelagic coupling focused in the western study zones related field measurements of benthic nutrient regeneration and primary production to important processes that maintain summertime hypoxia when surface waters are nitrogen limited. After incubations were completed macrofaunal individuals were removed from the cores enumerated and identified to the lowest possible taxon. Macrofauna communities in 2004-2005 were dominated by a hypoxia tolerant community dominated by polychaetes. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in August and September of 2005 drastically reorganized macrobenthic communities decreasing abundances and negatively impacting diversity. These new communities collapsed under hypoxic stresses potentially impacting the ability of demersal foragers to utilize an important food resource. Large variations in biogeochemical fluxes and patchy distribution of fauna impeded the delineation of significant zones in benthic function and structure.

Bird incubation is a natural phenomenon that balances the needs of the parents for nourishment with the needs of the fetus for heat provision and protection. In this context, any means of communication between the fetus and the parents would have an adaptive value. The aim of the study was to investigate whether putative means of fetomaternal communication would correlate to physiological changes caused by environmental alterations. Oxygen consumption was used to measure fetal well being and six independent variables associated with fetal vocalizations and fetal movements were used to evaluate their potential for communicating the fetus statu quo. Broiler fetuses (Gallus gallus domesticus) of three developmental stages (day 18, internally pipped and externally pipped) were challenged by a stepwise reduction in ambient temperature down to 30ºC. A linear drop in oxygen consumption in response to lowered temperatures was found in all three developmental stages indicating that the fetus was affected by the temperature changes. No differences correlating with temperature variations were found in any of the variables associated with fetal vocalization. Fetal vocalizations are consequently not used to communicate the thermal status of the fetus. Movement occurrence, movement intensity and ventilation frequency, however, followed a “maximum peak” trend, with a highest response at the third temperature interval (35.0-35.5ºC). Considering that the lower limit of optimal development is between 35-36ºC, the results suggest that fetal movements can be of potential use to the incubating parent to assess the well-being of the fetus.

Although artificially selected goldfish exhibit swimming performance decrements, with the most derived morphotypes more affected, they can be utilized to explore functional design and movement pattern principles in aquatic vertebrates. Drag, steady swimming kinematics (tailbeat frequency, amplitude, stride length), energetics (standard and active metabolic rate), fast-start performance (average and maximum velocity and acceleration), stability in yaw and roll and propulsive muscle ultrastructural characteristics (mitochondrial volume density and spacing, myofibril diameter and capillary to fibre ratio in red and white muscle) were measured for four morphotypes: common, comet, fantail and eggfish, of comparable length (≈ 5 cm). A performance “pairing” (common and comet; fantail and eggfish) was a recurrent theme for most performance parameters. Vertebral numbers (30), segment lengths (≈ 0.85 mm) and standard metabolic rates (≈ 140 mg O2 kg-1 hr-1) are exceptions where values are the same. Fantail and eggfish drag and drag coefficients (referenced to frontally projected area ≈ 0.6 - 0.9) were higher (requiring more thrust at any given velocity) than those for the more streamlined common and comet (≈ 0.3 - 0.6; P < 0.05). This is reflected in kinematics; tailbeat frequency and stride length at any given velocity for the common and comet are lower and higher respectively than that of the fantail and eggfish (P < 0.05). Common and comet fatigue times are not significantly different from that of their ancestor, Crucian carp (P > 0.05), and are lower than those of the fantail and eggfish (P < 0.05). The cost of transport of the common and comet (≈ 0.6 mg O2 kg-1 m-1) is accurately predicted from the mass scaling relationship for fish (P > 0.05), but values for the fantail and eggfish (≈ 1.3 mg O2 kg-1 m-1) are not (P < 0.05). Eggfish steady swimming (dorsal fin absent) was characterized by rolling and yawing motions associated with significant energy losses. Common and comet fast-start performance (average velocity ≈ 0.45 m s-1, maximum velocity ≈ 1.2 m s-1, average acceleration ≈ 7.5 m s-2, maximum acceleration ≈ 35 m s-2) was similar to that of other locomotor generalists (e.g. trout). Eggfish maximum acceleration (≈ 5 m s-2) is poor due to the absence of inertial and lifting contributions to thrust from the dorsal fin and energy wasting rolling motions. Artificially selected fish can bear upon fitness related adaptations associated with form and movement, providing insights into the “performance envelope” of natural systems subject to ecological speciation.