Running economy is an important factor in determining a performance of a long distance running. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the running economy and the submaximal hopping economy. Twelve long-distance runners performed a submaximal repeated hopping exercise on a force platform at a frequency of 2.2Hz and the maximum five-repeated rebound jumping (5RJ). Jumping height, contact time, maximum ground reaction force and oxygen intake were recorded during submaximal repeated hopping exercise. In addition, they performed the submaximal running for a distance of 3200m on an outdoor 400m track. Oxygen intake was recorded during the submaximal running. Then running economy (RE = V/VO₂) was calculated by using oxygen intake (VO₂) and running speeds (V). Hopping economy (HE = h/VO₂) was calculated by using oxygen intake (VO₂) and average jumping height (h). As a result of this study, we confirmed that a submaximal repeated hopping exercise performed for a ten-minute period was an aerobic exercise and a steady-state exercise. There was a significant positive correlation between RE and HE (r = 0.805, p＜0.01). These results suggest that hopping economy is an important factor in running economy. On the other hand, we did not find a significant correlation between HE and 5RJ. Furthermore, between RE and RJ index of the submaximal hopping exercise, a significant positive correlation was found (r = 0.735, p＜0.01). Therefore, RE seems to be connected with the Stretch-shortening cycle (SSC) function of the legs. We conclude that the SSC ability of a long distance runner can be evaluated appropriately by using the submaximal repeated hopping exercise of this study.

The 30-seconds all-out sprint test on the cycle ergometer was performed by 10 high school and 13 college men’s cyclists. In addition, this study investigated their best time for 200 m (200mTT) and 1000 m (1000mTT) time trials in the velodrome. This study clarifies the relationship between muscle thickness of thigh, shank, and trunk and 1) the average speed for the 200mTT and 2) the 1000mTT in the field, and 3) the mean power of the 30-seconds all-out sprint cycling test. 1) The average speed for the 200mTT significantly correlated with the muscle thickness of posterior shank and front and lateral abdomen. 2) The average speed for the 1000mTT significantly correlated with the muscle thickness of posterior thigh and shank and front and lateral abdomen. 3) The mean power of the 30-seconds all-out sprint cycling test significantly correlated with the muscle thickness of anterior and posterior thigh, posterior shank, and front and lateral abdomen. Except for the average speed for the 200mTT and 1000mTT, the mean power of the 30-seconds all-out sprint cycling test was significantly related to the muscle thickness of anterior thigh. These results suggest that increasing muscle thickness of posterior thigh and shank and front and lateral abdomen is important for enhancing performance in sprint cycling.

Retrospective cohort study.

Retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Flap volume is an important factor for obtaining satisfactory symmetry in breast reconstruction with a transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) free flap. We aimed to develop an easy and simple method to estimate flap volume. METHODS: We performed a preoperative estimation of the TRAM flap volume in five patients with breast cancer who underwent 2-stage breast reconstruction following an immediate tissue expander operation after a simple mastectomy. We measured the height and width of each flap zone using a ruler and measured the tissue thickness by ultrasound. The volume of each zone, approximated as a triangular or square prism, was then calculated. The zone volumes were summed to obtain the total calculated volume of the TRAM flap. We then determined the width of zone II, so that the calculated flap volume was equal to the required flap volume (1.2×1.05×the weight of the resected mastectomy tissue). The TRAM flap was transferred vertically so that zone III was located on the upper side, and zone II was trimmed in the sitting position after vascular anastomosis. We compared the estimated flap width of zone II (=X) with the actual flap width of zone II. RESULTS: X was similar to the actual measured width. Accurate volume replacement with the TRAM flap resulted in good symmetry in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of a free TRAM flap can be straightforwardly estimated preoperatively using the method presented here, with ultrasound, ruler, and simple calculations, and this technique may help reduced the time required for precise flap tailoring.
Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Mammaplasty* ; Mammary Glands, Human ; Mastectomy ; Mastectomy, Simple ; Methods ; Rectus Abdominis* ; Tissue Expansion Devices* ; Ultrasonography

Calcitonin (CT), a polypeptide hormone, plays important roles in a variety of physiological processes. CT has been used clinically to treat osteoporosis and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In order to clarify the pharmacological effects of CT in the kidney, we identified potential downstream genes induced by CT in the renal cells. Using a cDNA subtraction hybridization method, we identified connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a CT-induced gene in the porcine renal cell line, LLC-PK1. Furthermore, we found that CT-mediated induction of the gene was not inhibited by cycloheximide, which suggests that CTGF gene was not induced by an increased synthesis of regulating proteins. Therefore, CTGF is an immediate early gene. We further demonstrated that the regulation of CTGF gene expression by CT involved the ERK1/2 pathway, because PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, partially inhibited the mRNA expression of CTGF induced by CT. CT-induced CTGF protein expression was also observed in vivo. Our present findings suggest that CT induces the transcription of CTGF through ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We also identified twelve other genes induced by CT that, like CTGF, were related to wound healing. These results suggest that CT may have an effect on renal differentiation and wound healing in the kidney.
Animals ; Calcitonin/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor/*genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal/*enzymology/metabolism ; *MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/*metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/*metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Swine

Calcitonin (CT), a polypeptide hormone, plays important roles in a variety of physiological processes. CT has been used clinically to treat osteoporosis and humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In order to clarify the pharmacological effects of CT in the kidney, we identified potential downstream genes induced by CT in the renal cells. Using a cDNA subtraction hybridization method, we identified connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) as a CT-induced gene in the porcine renal cell line, LLC-PK1. Furthermore, we found that CT-mediated induction of the gene was not inhibited by cycloheximide, which suggests that CTGF gene was not induced by an increased synthesis of regulating proteins. Therefore, CTGF is an immediate early gene. We further demonstrated that the regulation of CTGF gene expression by CT involved the ERK1/2 pathway, because PD98059, a MEK1 inhibitor, partially inhibited the mRNA expression of CTGF induced by CT. CT-induced CTGF protein expression was also observed in vivo. Our present findings suggest that CT induces the transcription of CTGF through ERK1/2 phosphorylation. We also identified twelve other genes induced by CT that, like CTGF, were related to wound healing. These results suggest that CT may have an effect on renal differentiation and wound healing in the kidney.
Animals ; Calcitonin/*pharmacology ; Cell Line ; Connective Tissue Growth Factor/*genetics/metabolism ; Female ; Kidney Tubules, Proximal/*enzymology/metabolism ; *MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1/*metabolism ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3/*metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Swine