Mid-range atmospheric dispersion modelling. Intercomparison of simple models in EMRAS-2 project

Publication date: October 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volumes 162–163
Author(s): Raúl Periáñez, Kathleen M. Thiessen, Sohan L. Chouhan, Francesco Mancini, Emilie Navarro, Gert Sdouz, Dejan Trifunović
An intercomparison of atmospheric dispersion models has been carried out for a hypothetical accident occurring in a nuclear power plant in the center of Spain. The accident consisted of a steam generator tube rupture, and two radionuclides have been considered for the exercise: 137-Cs and 131-I. Meteorological conditions and radionuclide release rates were supplied. Models provided deposition maps, timeintegrated concentrations in air and arrival times of the plumes to specific locations. The effect of the meteorological conditions used in the modelling was clear, with different behavior of the plume with neutral stability vs. stable conditions. The predicted arrival times of the plume at specific locations showed much less variability than deposition and air concentrations. This variability in part reflects the uncertainties inherent in atmospheric dispersion modelling and in the selection of parameter values, such as deposition velocities or diffusivities.



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Concomitant application of sprint and high-intensity interval training on maximal oxygen uptake and work output in well-trained cyclists

Abstract

Purpose

In this study, we compared the effects of two different training modalities on maximal oxygen uptake and work output.

Methods

Participants included 26 well-trained mountain bike cyclists were divided into two groups. The first group trained using a conventional endurance protocol at steady-state (moderate) intensity and variable-intensity (high-moderate-low) free of maximal efforts. The second group combined endurance training with a sprint and high-intensity interval training protocol, which, respectively, were based on 30 s maximal repetitions and 4 min high intensity repetitions. Training duration was 8 weeks. A graded exercise test was administered pre- and post-training. Work output, oxygen uptake, minute pulmonary ventilation, heart rate and stroke volume were determined during the test.

Results

While work output significantly increased post-training in both groups (P < 0.05), the interval training group showed a greater magnitude of change (from 284.4 ± 91.9 to 314.2 ± 95.1 kJ) than the endurance training group (from 271.8 ± 73.3 to 283.4 ± 72.3 kJ). Significant increases in maximal oxygen uptake (from 57.9 ± 6.8 to 66.6 ± 5.3 ml kg⁻¹ min⁻¹), maximal pulmonary ventilation and stroke volume were observed only in the interval training group.

Conclusions

An exercise protocol involving endurance and sprint and high-intensity interval training was found to induce positive effects on maximal oxygen uptake in a group of well-trained cyclists with several years athletic experience.

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Cortisol and testosterone dynamics following exhaustive endurance exercise

Abstract

Purpose

Cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) are impacted significantly by prolonged endurance exercise with inverse responses. Increases in C are witnessed concurrently with decrements in T, possibly impacting recovery. This study was conducted to assess the dynamics of C and free T (fT) concentration and recovery time following an exhaustive endurance exercise session (EES).

Methods

12 endurance-trained males (X ± SD: VO_2max 66.3±4.8 ml/kg/min, age 22.8 ± 3.1 years, body fat 11.0 ± 1.4 %, training 7.1 ± 3.2 years) completed a treadmill EES at ventilatory threshold (74.7 ± 4.6 % of VO_2max; 96.9 ± 10.8 min). Basal blood C and fT were collected at baseline: −48, −24 h, and immediately before (0 h) the EES as well as immediately (+0 h), +24 h, +48 h, and +72 h after the EES. Blood glucose (G) was measured to confirm no undue influence on C. Statistically data were analyzed with repeated measures ANOVA (LSD post hoc).

Results

C (nmol/L) increased significantly from −48 h (321 ± 59) to +0 h (701 ± 178) (p < 0.001), and displayed a baseline overshoot with +24 h (209 ± 67) being significantly lower than −48 and +0 h (p < 0.03). fT (pmol/L) decreased significantly from −48 h (161 ± 40) to +0 h (106 ± 38) (p < 0.01) and remained lower at +24 h (110 ± 33) and +48 h (129 ± 30) (p < 0.001). G remained stable throughout. A moderately negative correlation (r = −0.636, p < 0.026) was found between C and fT at +0 h.

Conclusions

EES recovery may require 48 h for C and 72 h for fT to return to baseline values. Furthermore, C and fT were only correlated immediately post-exercise. Future research should perform more frequent measurements throughout time course.

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The Arabidopsis B-BOX Protein BZS1/BBX20 Interacts with HY5 and Mediates Strigolactone Regulation of Photomorphogenesis

Publication date: Available online 4 June 2016
Source:Journal of Genetics and Genomics
Author(s): Chuang-Qi Wei, Chih-Wei Chien, Lian-Feng Ai, Jun Zhao, Zhenzhen Zhang, Kathy H. Li, Alma L. Burlingame, Yu Sun, Zhi-Yong Wang
Plant growth is controlled by integration of hormonal and light-signaling pathways. BZS1 is a B-box zinc finger protein previously characterized as a negative regulator in the brassinosteroid (BR) signaling pathway and positive regulator in the light-signaling pathway. However, the mechanisms by which BZS1/BBX20 integrates light and hormonal pathways are not fully understood. Here, using a quantitative proteomic workflow, we identified several BZS1-associated proteins including light signaling components COP1 and HY5. Direct interactions of BZS1 with COP1 and HY5 were verified by yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays. Overexpression of BZS1 causes a dwarf phenotype that is suppressed by the hy5 mutation, while overexpression of BZS1 fused with the SRDX transcription repression domain (BZS1-SRDX) causes a long-hypocotyl phenotype similar to hy5, indicating that BZS1's function requires HY5. BZS1 positively regulates HY5 expression, whereas HY5 negatively regulates BZS1 protein level, forming a feedback loop that potentially contributes to signaling dynamics. In contrast to BR, strigolactone (SL) increases BZS1 level, whereas the SL responses of hypocotyl elongation, chlorophyll and HY5 accumulation are diminished in the BZS1-SRDX seedlings, indicating that BZS1 is involved in these SL responses. These results demonstrate that BZS1 interacts with HY5 and plays a central role in integrating light and multiple hormone signals for photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis.



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Factors Affecting Dental Attendance of Children of New Immigrant Parents: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

To explore factors affecting children's dental attendance among new immigrants. Participants in this cross-sectional study were 314 new immigrant child-parent pairs. Parents' demographics, oral health knowledge, perceptions, child's caries status, and oral health behaviours were analysed as determinants for dental attendance. Only 43 % of children had a dental visit within the year. Parents believing in the effectiveness of parental checking were four times more likely to seek dental care for their child [adjusted OR (adOR) 4.48, 95 % CI 1.79–11.13]. Parents perceiving dental check-up as a painful experience were 67 % less likely to visit the dentist (adOR 0.33, 95 % CI 0.17–0.63). Lack of insurance and time reduced the odds of a dental visit by 65 and 59 %, respectively (adOR 0.35, 95 % CI 0.16–0.68; adOR 0.41, 95 % CI 0.12–0.99). The care-seeking behaviour of new immigrant children was determined by parents' perceived ability to detect caries, availability of time and dental insurance, and their perceived dental experience.

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Switching therapy from intravenous beta blocker to bisoprolol transdermal patch for atrial fibrillation tachycardia

Abstract

Beta-blockers are important for severe-status patients with atrial fibrillation-related tachycardia. Beta 1-selective intravenous injection are routinely used, but long-term administration is difficult due to cost-performance- or management-related issues. A bisoprolol patch, a beta-blocker to be percutaneously absorbed, recently became commercially available in Japan. As it may facilitate effective absorption and a mild elevation of the blood concentration, we retrospectively analyzed 16 patients with atrial fibrillation-related tachycardia who were admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Hitachi General Hospital Emergency and Critical Care Center, and underwent switching therapy from landiolol to a bisoprolol patch. For switching, the bisoprolol patch (4 mg) was attached to each patient. The bisoprolol patch was introduced 88 h after the start of landiolol administration, when the rate was approximately 3 μg/kg/min. Landiolol injection was combined with bisoprolol for 15.4 ± 17.5 h. Switching therapy was successful in all subjects. The introduction of the bisoprolol patch did not induce any significant changes in the blood pressure or heart rate. After the completion of landiolol administration, there were also no significant changes in either parameter. There were no adverse events. In severe-status patients, switching therapy from landiolol injection to the bisoprolol patch can be conducted safely, and might be useful for heart-rate control.

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Estimation of genetic parameters for longevity considering the cow’s age at last calving

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate heritability and predict breeding values for longevity among cows in herds of Nellore breed, considering the trait cow's age at last calving (ALC), by means of survival analysis methodology. The records of 11,791 animals from 22 farms were used. The variable ALC has been used by a criterion that made it possible to include cows not only at their first calving but also at their ninth calving. The criterion used was the difference between the date of each cow's last calving and the date of the last calving on each farm. If this difference was greater than 36 months, the cow was considered to have failed and uncensored. If not, this cow was censored, thus indicating that future calving remained possible for this cow. The survival model used for the analyses was the proportional hazards model, and the base risk was given by a Weibull distribution. The heritability estimate obtained was equal to 0.25. It was found that the ALC variable had the capacity to respond to selection for the purpose of increasing the longevity of the cows in the herds.

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Genome-wide association of familial prostate cancer cases identifies evidence for a rare segregating haplotype at 8q24.21

Abstract

Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of prostate cancer risk focused on cases unselected for family history and have reported over 100 significant associations. The International Consortium for Prostate Cancer Genetics (ICPCG) has now performed a GWAS of 2511 (unrelated) familial prostate cancer cases and 1382 unaffected controls from 12 member sites. All samples were genotyped on the Illumina 5M+exome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) platform. The GWAS identified a significant evidence for association for SNPs in six regions previously associated with prostate cancer in population-based cohorts, including 3q26.2, 6q25.3, 8q24.21, 10q11.23, 11q13.3, and 17q12. Of note, SNP rs138042437 (p = 1.7e⁻⁸) at 8q24.21 achieved a large estimated effect size in this cohort (odds ratio = 13.3). 116 previously sampled affected relatives of 62 risk-allele carriers from the GWAS cohort were genotyped for this SNP, identifying 78 additional affected carriers in 62 pedigrees. A test for an excess number of affected carriers among relatives exhibited strong evidence for co-segregation of the variant with disease (p = 8.5e⁻¹¹). The majority (92 %) of risk-allele carriers at rs138042437 had a consistent estimated haplotype spanning approximately 100 kb of 8q24.21 that contained the minor alleles of three rare SNPs (dosage minor allele frequencies <1.7 %), rs183373024 (PRNCR1), previously associated SNP rs188140481, and rs138042437 (CASC19). Strong evidence for co-segregation of a SNP on the haplotype further characterizes the haplotype as a prostate cancer predisposition locus.

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p53 represses the transcription of snRNA genes by preventing the formation of little elongation complex

Publication date: Available online 3 June 2016
Source:Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Gene Regulatory Mechanisms
Author(s): Delnur Anwar, Hidehisa Takahashi, Masashi Watanabe, Masanobu Suzuki, Satoshi Fukuda, Shigetsugu Hatakeyama
The regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is important for a variety of cellular functions. ELL/EAF-containing little elongation complex (LEC) was found to be required for transcription of Pol II-dependent small nuclear RNA (snRNA) genes. It was shown that the tumor suppressor p53 interacts with ELL and inhibits transcription elongation activity of ELL. Here, we show that p53 inhibits interaction between ELL/EAF and ICE1 in LEC and thereby p53 represses transcription of Pol II-dependent snRNA genes through inhibiting LEC function. Furthermore, induction of p53 expression by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation decreases the occupancy of ICE1 at Pol II-dependent snRNA genes. Consistent with the results, knockdown of p53 increased both the expression of snRNA genes and the occupancy of Pol II and components of LEC at snRNA genes. Our results indicate that p53 interferes with the interaction between ELL/EAF and ICE1 and represses transcription of snRNA genes by Pol II.



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Bending the Arc of Exercise and Recreation Technology Toward People with Disabilities

Publication date: Available online 4 June 2016
Source:Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Author(s): James H. Rimmer, Byron Lai, Hui-Ju Young
Most of the published research on exercise and disability has focused on short-term efficacy studies targeting specific disability groups. These studies often employ grant-related or other financial resources to temporarily remove the many barriers that people with physical/mobility disability (PWD) experience when attempting to become physically active. In this commentary we explore how technology can be used to promote more sustainable physical activity outcomes in the home and community using a set of four overlapping domains: Access, Usability, Adherence, and Health and Function. Additionally, we describe how the order in which these domains should be addressed will vary based on the needs of the target group and the context of their environment. Finally, we provide examples of various types of technologies (e.g., hardware, software) that can support the 'after-life' of successful short-term exercise and rehabilitation trials among PWD who desire to self-manage their own health and maintain a regular and sustainable pattern of physical activity across their lifespan.



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Evidence-Based Program Service Deserts: A Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Approach to Identifying Service Gaps for State-Level Implementation Planning

Abstract

The long term effects of untreated mental health need for individuals, families and society has prompted a number of federal policy statements encouraging the use of evidence-based programs (EBP) in children's healthcare. However, among other challenges of evidence-based practice implementation, states often do not know where to make investments based on population need. In this paper we present the use of a Geographic Information System approach to undertake a mental health needs assessment for Washington State. Our study found that this technology can be beneficially applied to conducting needs assessment for EBP implementation, and we provide recommendations for future applications.

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The comparison of adductor canal block with femoral nerve block following total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Although several studies have compared the clinical efficacy of an adductor canal block (ACB) to that of a femoral nerve block (FNB) for analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), disputes mainly exist in the recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability between the two methods. The aim of the present study was to compare, in a systematic review and meta-analysis, the clinical efficacy of ACB with that of FNB.

Methods

We systematically searched randomized controlled trials comparing FNB with ACB for analgesia after TKA in Pubmed and the Cochrane Library from inception to April 30th 2015. There was no limitation of publication language. Trial quality was assessed using the modified Jadad scale, and eligible data were pooled for meta-analysis.

Results

Five studies of 348 patients were included. Outcomes showed that patients who received ACB had similar or better recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability than those that underwent FNB. Similar efficacy was found between the two strategies regarding adductor strength, pain scores [at rest (p = 0.86), at or after knee flexion (p = 0.31)], opioid consumption (p = 0.99), opioid-associated adverse effects (p = 0.60), length of hospital stay (p = 0.42), patient satisfaction (p = 0.57), and success rate of blockade (p = 0.20).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that TKA patients who receive ACB can achieve similar or even better recovery of quadriceps strength and mobilization ability than those treated with FNB. Taken as a whole, ACB may be a better analgesia strategy after TKA at present.

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