Energy substrate oxidation was measured using indirect respiratory calorimetry combined with tracer technique in five healthy young male subjects, during a 80-min exercise period on ergocycle with ingestion of 140 g of (13)C-labelled glucose, in normoxia and acute hypobaric hypoxia (445 mmHg or 4,300 m), at the same relative [77% V(.-)((O)(2)(max))] and absolute workload (161+/-8 W, corresponding to 77 and 54% V(.-)((O)(2)(max)) in hypoxia and normoxia). The oxidation rate of exogenous glucose was not significantly different in the three experimental situations: 21.4+/-2.9, 20.2+/-1.2 and 17.2+/-0.6 g over the last 40 min of exercise at approximately 77 and approximately 54% V(.-)((O)(2)(max)) in normoxia and in hypoxia, respectively, providing 12.5+/-1.5, 16.8+/-1.1 and 14.9+/-1.1% of the energy yield, although ingestion of glucose during exercise resulted in a higher plasma glucose concentration in hypoxia than normoxia. The contribution of carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation to the energy yield was significantly higher in hypoxia (92.0+/-2.1%) than in normoxia for both a given absolute (75.3+/-5.2%) and relative workload (78.1+/-1.8%). This greater reliance on CHO oxidation in hypoxia was entirely due to the significantly larger contribution of endogenous glucose oxidation to the energy yield: 75.9+/-1.7% versus 66.6+/-3.3 and 55.2+/-3.7% in normoxia at the same relative and absolute workload.

The metabolic response to a 150 or 400 g 13C-labelled pasta meal was studied for 8 h following rest or exercise at low or moderate workload (n 6). Following rest, the 400 g meal totally suppressed fat oxidation (v. 14.1 g following the 150 g meal) and a small amount of glucose was converted into fat (4.6 g), but fat oxidation remained high in subjects who had exercised following both the small (21.8 and 34.1 g) and large meal (14.1 and 32.3 g). Exogenous glucose oxidation was significantly higher in subjects who had remained at rest both following the small (67.6 g v. 60.4 and 51.3 g in subjects who exercised at low and moderate workloads) and large meal (152.2 v. 123.0 and 127.2 g). Endogenous glucose oxidation was similar in the three groups following the 150 g meal (42.3–58.0 g), but was significantly lower following the 400 g meal in subjects who had exercised at low workload (24.2 v. 72.2 g following rest; P<0.05), and was totally suppressed in those who had exercised at moderate workload. As a consequence, a larger positive glycogen balance was observed in subjects who exercised before the large meal (182.8–205.1 g v. 92.4 g following rest; P<0.05). Total fat oxidation calculated from 08.00 hours to 20.00 hours was similar in subjects who exercised at low and moderate workloads. These results indicate that: (1) de novo lipogenesis, which plays only a minor role for the disposal of an acute dietary carbohydrate load, is totally suppressed following exercise, even when a very large carbohydrate load is ingested; (2) the reduction in glycogen turnover as well as a preferential conversion of glucose into glycogen are responsible for the increase in glycogen stores following exercise; (3) for a similar energy expenditure, exercise at low workload for a longer period does not favour fat oxidation when the post-exercise period is taken into account.

Male breast carcinomas have a basal-like phenotype that is similar in frequency to that of female breast carcinomas. The expression of CK5/6 and CK14 identifies a subset of pathologically aggressive male breast cancers.

Almost one third of older patients hospitalized for acute care suffer functional decline. Few studies have investigated the point of view of older patients on prevention of this decline. Within the framework of a descriptive qualitative study, the perceptions of 30 hospitalized older adults were collected regarding their personal prevention strategies, the barriers to implementing these, and nursing staff interventions deemed useful. Results show that participants are sensitive to the risk of functional decline and utilize various preventive strategies particularly to maintain their physical abilities, maintain good spirits, keep a clear mind, and foster nutrition and sleep. Their strategies are difficult to implement on account of internal and external barriers. Nursing interventions deemed useful are good relational approach, strong basic care, appropriate assessment, and respect for level of autonomy. The study underscores that older hospitalized patients are applying strategies to prevent functional decline, but some nursing interventions may thwart their efforts.