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Provides information on a study on visible detrital aggregates formed between July and December at an abyssal station in the northeastern Pacific. Methods used; Results; Comparison of the results with the data available on chemical composition and respiration associated with detrital materials in other deep-sea area of the World Ocean.

The emission of blue-green bioluminescence ({lambda}max = 470 nm) was observed from sucker-like structures arranged along the length of the arms of the cirrate octopod Stauroteuthis syrtensis. Individual photophores either glowed dimly and continuously or flashed on and off more brightly with a period of 1-2 seconds. Examination of the anatomy and ultrastructure of the photophores confirmed that they are modified suckers. During handling, the photophores were unable to attach to surfaces, suggesting that, unlike typical octopod suckers, they have no adhesive function. The oral position of the photophores and the wavelength of peak emission, coupled with the animals' primary postures, suggests that bioluminescence in S. syrtensis may function as a light lure to attract prey.

Cell culture procedures were developed for use with surgical and normal control specimens of the annulus of the human intervertebral disc. Cells were established in monolayer explant culture and seeded into three-dimensional growth environments of alginate or agarose; under these growth conditions cells assumed a rounded phenotype and formed colonies. A novel method of layering suspensions of cells onto cell well inserts proved technically much easier than the microbead culture method. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to demonstrate in vitro production of the following extracellular matrix components: types I, II, III, and VI collagen, 4-S-chondroitin sulfate, and keratan sulfate. Young and old age- and gender-matched cells grown in the presence of TGF-beta1 showed significant enhancement of proliferation after 4 days of exposure to TGF-beta with a lessened mitogenic response present after 10 days. Molecular studies of proteoglycan gene expression showed that at 4 days young normal cells had increased biglycan, but not decorin, message levels. Decorin expression was unchanged at Day 4 and decreased or shut off by Day 10. Results support the use of three-dimensional culture systems for in vitro evaluation of human disc cell function and expand our understanding of the in vitro behavior of these cells.

The reproducibility of the Bruce exercise test protocol for the determination of maximal aerobic activity was evaluated in sedentary older women. Seventeen women between the ages of 51 and 68 yr performed five maximal graded exercise tests to volitional fatigue on a treadmill. VO2max (mL.kg-1.min-1) values averaged 27.5 +/- 1.1; 28.3 +/- 1.3; 28.4 +/- 1.3; 29.6 +/- 1.5; and 28.2 +/- 1.4 for trials 1-5, respectively, and were not significantly different. Criteria for a plateau in VO2 at the point of exhaustion were met in 21 out of 85 tests (25%). The mean coefficient of variation VO2max for the subjects for the 5 tests was 6.5% (range, 2.0-14%). Pearson's correlation coefficients for the study variables were significant, indicating good agreement between repeated tests (r2: between 0.70 to 0.89). Although there were no significant differences among the mean VO2max values in the 5 trials, 11 subjects had a 1.0 ml.kg-1.min-1 or greater increase in the VO2max from test 1 to test 2, and only 6 subjects had no change or a decrease in VO2max. The mean difference between T2 and T3 was lower (T1 vs T2: 0.8 mL.kg-1.min-1, T2 vs T3: 0.1 mL.kg-1.min-1) indicating slightly better agreement between the second and third set. Estimates of the between and within subject variance revealed a low within subject variance (4.2 (mL.kg-1.min-1)2) compared to the between subject variance (22.1 (mL.kg-1.min-1)2). This study demonstrates that a commonly used exercise testing protocol generates highly reproducible measurements of VO2max in women between 51 and 68 yr. The mean differences between tests and the high level of agreement between repeated tests suggests that a single measurement of VO2max can be performed to assess functional aerobic capacity in this population.

This study investigated the relationship between isokinetic muscle strength and bone density (SPA and DPA) in men and women aged 45-77 yr. Regression models were adjusted for age, weight, smoking status, and calcium supplementation. Elbow extensors (but not flexors) peak torque was correlated with radial density in men (partial r = 0.26, P < 0.05) and women (partial r = 0.24, P < 0.05). Knee flexor (but not extensor) peak torque in women was significantly correlated with spine density (partial r = 0.28, P < 0.05), and muscle mass was significantly correlated with Ward's triangle density (partial r = 0.35, P < 0.05). No associations between knee flexor or extensor muscle strength and spine or femur bone density were observed in men. Fat-free mass (FFM, hydrodensitometry) was associated with all bone density sites in males and females (partial r = 0.30-0.55; P < 0.05). These results demonstrate that 1) significant associations observed between elbow extensor strength and radial bone density in men and women may reflect loading along the longitudinal axis of the radius associated with elbow extensor activity; and 2) significant associations exist between knee flexor muscle strength and lumbar density in women only. Additionally, the associations between FFM and bone density do not necessarily reflect associations between isokinetic muscle strength and bone density.

A decline in insulin sensitivity is associated with aging, inactivity, and obesity. The effects of exercise training on glucose homeostasis independent of weight loss in older glucose-intolerant individuals are not well established. We examined the effects of exercise training on oral glucose tolerance, insulin action, and concentration of the GLUT-4 glucose transporters in skeletal muscle. Exercise training at 50 and 75% of heart rate reserve was performed for 12 wk in 18 individuals (age = 64 +/- 2, body fat = 37.0 +/- 1.5%). Peripheral insulin action was determined 96 h after the last exercise bout using a two-step hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic glucose clamp (insulin = 192 and 708 pmol/l). Percent body fat and fat-free mass (FFM) were unchanged with training. Diet composition, assessed by diet record, did not change over the 12 wk. Improved oral glucose tolerance was observed, as exhibited by lower plasma glucose concentrations after training (P < 0.05), whereas plasma insulin response remained unchanged. The rate of glucose disposal was unchanged during the low insulin concentration but increased 11.0% at the high insulin concentration (P < 0.05) after training (54.4 +/- 4.4 vs. 60.4 +/- 5.5 mumol.kg FFM-1.min-1). Skeletal muscle glycogen and GLUT-4 concentration increased 24 and 60%, respectively, with training. There was no direct relationship between the change in GLUT-4 protein and the change in glucose disposal rate. These findings demonstrate that chronic exercise training without changes in body composition improves peripheral insulin action in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of a supervised 1-y walking program and increased dietary calcium (milk supplement, 831 mg/d, vs placebo drink, 41 mg/d) on bones were examined in 36 postmenopausal women (60.2 +/- 6.5 y). Trabecular bone-mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine (L1-L3), measured by computed tomography, increased by 0.5% in exercising women (n = 18) and decreased by 7.0% in sedentary women (n = 18; P = 0.02). Femoral-neck BMD measured by dual-photon absorptiometry (DPA) increased by 2.0% in women consuming high dietary calcium (n = 18) and decreased by 1.1% in those on moderate calcium intake (n = 18; P = 0.001). Neither exercise nor dietary calcium had an effect on lumbar spine (L2-L4) measured by DPA, distal radius measured by single-photon absorptiometry, or total body calcium measured by in vivo neutron activation. The varying proportions and rates of turnover of trabecular and cortical bone from one site to another suggest that exercise and high dietary calcium may preferentially alter bone density at different skeletal sites.

Our purpose was to determine the relationship of diet, exercise, and amenorrhea with bone mineral status in trained young women. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine was significantly lower in amenorrheic compared to normally menstruating runners. Circulating estradiol was also significantly lower. No significant differences between the two groups were found in body composition, maximum aerobic power, or amount of training per week. A 3-day dietary record showed that the amenorrheic women reported a significantly lower daily energy intake, but no difference in the calcium intake. Protein intake was less than the US Recommended Dietary Allowance in 82% of amenorrheic women and 35% of eumenorrheic women. Abnormal eating behaviors may be associated with the development of amenorrhea. Our results show that when weight-bearing exercise and a low energy intake are associated with amenorrhea, the accretion of a large bone mass in young trained women is not favored.

Serum gonadotropin and estrogen levels and their relationship to bone mineral content in exercise-related amenorrhea were studied in 11 amenorrheic women and 24 eumenorrheic women, all of whom were runners. Serum estradiol, LH, FSH, estrone, and testosterone were measured in serial blood samples obtained at 15-min intervals for 4 h. The amenorrheic women had lower estradiol, LH, FSH; and estrone levels as well as a higher estrone-estradiol ratio than did the eumenorrheic women. There was no difference in testosterone levels. The amenorrheic women had lower LH pulse amplitudes, whereas no differences were found in FSH pulse amplitudes. LH and FSH pulse frequencies did not differ between the two groups. Bone mineral content of the lumbar spine was lower in amenorrheic women and was positively correlated with estradiol levels in all women. There was no difference in bone mineral content of the radius. These data suggest that, in exercise-related amenorrhea, low serum LH, FSH, and estrogen levels reflect an alteration in the hypothalamic control of gonadotropin release. Reduced circulating estrogen levels in amenorrheic running women may be a cause of low mineral content of the spine.

Habitual physical exercise has been reported to have beneficial effects on plasma lipoproteins. To examine this question in women, plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I and B levels, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) particle size were determined in 25 women runners (9 of whom had exercise-related secondary amenorrhea) and 36 age-matched nonexercising women (controls). The eumenorrheic runners had significantly lower apo B levels and significantly greater mean apo A-I/apo B ratios and LDL particle sizes than did the control women (P less than 0.05). Lower apo B levels were correlated with decreased body mass index, a known exercise effect (P less than 0.0001). In addition, normally menstruating runners had cholesterol and triglyceride levels that were 7.6% and 25.4% lower, respectively, and apo A-I levels that were 6.4% higher than control women (P = NS). In amenorrheic runners all parameters were similar to values in control women, except that apo B levels were 20% lower (P less than 0.05). Amenorrheic runners had lower plasma apo A-I levels (13%) and significantly lower apo A-I/apo B ratios and estradiol levels than eumenorrheic runners, and serum estradiol values in the runners were correlated with apo A-I levels (P less than 0.01). These data indicate that the beneficial effects of strenuous exercise on plasma apo A-I levels and apo A-I/apo B ratios in women runners can be reversed by exercise-induced amenorrhea and decreased serum estradiol levels, and that women runners have lower apo B levels than nonexercising women, regardless of menstrual status.