RESUMEN
The objective of the study was to monitor exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), inflammatory responses (IL-6, TNFα, and IL-10), and immune-endocrine balance (testosterone, cortisol, and salivary SIgA) in official 20 km walking race competitions. Eight 20 km professional walking racers (n = 6 women), 27 ± 9 years, underwent blood and saliva sampling, evaluation of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and squat (SJ) and countermovement (CMJ) jump tests 2 h before (Pre), immediately after (Post), and 24 and 48 h after the competition. The rate of perceived exertion (RPE) was recorded 20 minutes after the race ended. The race evoked high competitive load (948.3 ± 268.0 a.u.), increased creatine kinase levels at 24 h (p < 0.05), and DOMS at 48 h (p < 0.05), but no significant changes in SJ and CMJ after the race. No significant changes in cytokines were detected. No changes in salivary SIgA secretion rate and inflammatory cytokines were detected (p > 0.05). The race induced increased testosterone (p < 0.05), and cortisol (p < 0.01) levels immediately after the race. Despite the high competitive load, 20-km walking racer athletes presented mild EIMD without impairment in immune-endocrine markers.
RESUMEN
Characterisation of the water treatment sludge (WTS) generated in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) is crucial to define alternatives for its adequate management, including potential reuse options. To define these alternatives, it is necessary to evaluate rainfall seasonality effect on WTS production and its physical and chemical characteristics. This study assessed the production and characterisation of four types of alum-based WTS. The WTS was generated in a pilot-scale system from different raw water turbidities (i.e., low: <5 NTU, medium: 5-10 NTU, high: ≥10 NTU, and very high turbidity: â¼300 NTU) and coagulant doses. To estimate WTS production, mathematical models based on variables such as raw water turbidity, coagulant dosage, and organic matter removed were used. The WTS characterisations included physical (solids and particle size distribution), chemical (metallic oxides, pH, mineral phases), and surface properties (functional groups and zero-charge point pH). The modified Kawamura model presented the best fit (R2 = 1.0, RMSE = 0.1062 and the lower Akaike Information Criterion) for the estimation of WTS production, indicating that at the DWTPs, it is possible to make sludge production projections using only two simple variables: coagulant dose and the raw water turbidity. The four types of WTS consist mainly of amorphous materials (45-65 %), featuring some mineral phases and exhibiting high contents of Al (Al2O3: 30-34 %), Si (SiO2: 21-26 %) and Fe (Fe2O3: 11-13 %). Nevertheless, very high turbidity WTS shows variations in its characteristics, notably a heightened content of clays. As a result of the high concentrations of Al and Fe, the WTS has the potential to be used as coagulants or for the recovery of coagulants, especially low turbidity WTS, which is produced from water with low turbidity and organic matter. The presence of aluminium-silicate clays and the surface functional groups of the silica network suggest that WTS, particularly very high turbidity WTS, also has the potential to be raw materials for generating adsorbents. The potential applications of WTS in coagulation and adsorption can be leveraged in wastewater treatment, promoting the circular economy in the water sector.
RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the symptomatology and clinical findings in hyposecretory dry eye of the treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and artificial tears of sodium hyaluronate (SH). METHODS: Blind single-centre prospective comparative randomized study including 83 patients with hyposecretory dry eye and mean age of 64.0 years. Two groups were differentiated depending on the treatment applied: 44 patients treated with PRP (PRP group), and 39 patients treated with artificial tears of SH (SH group). Changes in Schimer test, tear osmolarity, corneal and conjunctival staining, tear film break-up time (TF-BUT), conjunctival hyperaemia, dry eye-related symptoms with the Ocular Surface Disease Index questionnaire, and caliciform cell density were evaluated during 30 days of treatment. RESULTS: Significantly larger reduction in symptomatology (p < 0.001), visual improvement (p < 0.001), reduction in hyperaemia (p < 0.001), and corneal and conjunctival staining (p < 0.001), increment of Schirmer test outcome (p ≤ 0.005), and reduction of osmolarity were found in the PRP group in both eyes compared to SH group at 15 and 30 days of treatment. Likewise, a significantly higher increment of caliciform cell density (p < 0.001) was found in the PRP group. Strong and statistically significant correlations were found in the PRP group of the change achieved in visual acuity, hyperaemia, osmolarity, and conjunctival and corneal staining with the baseline values of these variables (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: PRP treatment in hyposecretory dry eye induces a more significant positive effect over symptomatology and different dry eye signs than SH, especially in moderate and severe cases.
Asunto(s)
Síndromes de Ojo Seco/terapia , Plasma Rico en Plaquetas , Lágrimas/metabolismo , Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Recuento de Células , Conjuntiva/patología , Córnea/patología , Síndromes de Ojo Seco/diagnóstico , Síndromes de Ojo Seco/metabolismo , Femenino , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Concentración Osmolar , Estudios Prospectivos , Método Simple Ciego , Microscopía con Lámpara de Hendidura , Coloración y Etiquetado , Resultado del TratamientoRESUMEN
We compared the acute effects of different doses of 630 nm light-emitting diode therapy (LEDT) on skeletal muscle inflammation and hyperalgesia in rats submitted to exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Wistar rats were divided into five experimental groups (n = 5-8/group): sedentary control (CON); exercise + passive recovery (PR); and exercise + LEDT (1.2 J/cm2, 1.8 J; 4.2 J/cm2, 6.3 J; 10.0 J/cm2, 15 J). After 100 min of swimming, the rats in the LEDT groups were exposed to phototherapy on the triceps surae muscle. For mechanical hyperalgesia evaluation, paw withdrawal threshold was assessed before and 24 h after swimming. Immediately after hyperalgesia tests, blood samples were collected to analyze creatine kinase (CK) activity and the soleus muscle was removed for histological and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α immunohistological analyses. In all LEDT groups, plasma CK activity was reduced to levels similar to those measured in the CON group. Paw withdrawal threshold decreased in the PR group (- 11.9 ± 1.9 g) when compared to the CON group (2.2 ± 1.5 g; p < 0.01) and it was attenuated in the group LEDT 4.2 J/cm2 (- 3.3 ± 2.4 g, p < 0.05). Less leukocyte infiltration and edema and fewer necrotic areas were found in histological sections of soleus muscle in LEDT (4.2 J/cm2) and LEDT (10.0 J/cm2) groups compared to the PR group. Also, LEDT (4.2 J/cm2) and LEDT (10.0 J/cm2) groups showed less immunostaining for TNF-α in macrophages or areas with necrosis of muscle fibers compared to the PR group. LEDT (4.2 J/cm2, 6.3 J)-reduced muscle inflammation and nociception in animals submitted to EIMD.