'Gain with no pain’: anabolic-androgenic steroids trafficking in the UK

Anabolic-androgenic steroids are performance and image enhancing drugs (PIED) that can improve endurance and athletic performance, reduce body fat and stimulate muscle growth. The use of steroids has been studied extensively in the medical and psychological literature, as well as in the sociology of sport, health and masculinity. From the late 2000s, the worldwide trade in steroids increased significantly. However, trafficking in steroids remains a largely under-researched criminological phenomenon with a few notable exceptions. Currently in the UK there are only small and fragmented pieces of information available relating to steroids trafficking in autobiographical accounts of professional criminals. Drawing on original empirical data, the purpose of this article is to provide an account of the social organization of the steroids trafficking business in the UK. The trade in steroids is decentralized, highly flexible with no hierarchies, and open to anyone willing to either order the merchandise online or travel to producing countries and obtain steroids in bulk from legitimate manufacturers. The patterns of trafficking of this specific type of substance are patently conditioned by its embeddedness in the gym/bodybuilding scene and this greatly affects relations between actors in the business. In the steroids market, one typically encounters a multitude of individuals likely to drift between legality and illegality, online and offline, use and supply

Human behaviour in emergency situations: comparisons between aviation and rail domains

This article presents a comparative review of the knowledge base regarding human behaviour in emergencies for both aviation and rail domains. Generic models of human behaviour in emergency situations are introduced and specific attention is then focussed on methods of behaviour prediction, exhibited behaviours in emergencies and methods of aiding evacuation across both modes of transport. Using established knowledge from the aviation domain, it has been possible to make observations and comparisons about the rail domain. Traditionally, the aviation domain has been a major focus of research attention and this is used to inform and interpret the rail domain. By drawing comparisons across these domains for human behaviour in emergency situations, the observations are discussed along with recommendations for future policies/planning for emergencies and future research areas

Induction of androgenesis and production of haploid embryos in anther cultures of borage (Borago officinalis L.)

[EN] Borage (Borago officinalis L.) is an important medicinal plant with different culinary, pharmaceutical and industrial properties. Unfortunately, there are no published reports on the establishment of protocols to produce DHs in this species up to now. In this work, we show for the first time the induction of borage microspores to become embryogenic calli, from which haploid embryos are produced. In addition, we evaluated the effect of using different flower bud sizes, carbon sources, concentrations of 2,4-D and BAP, cold (4 A degrees C) pretreatments and heat shock treatments. Production of total calli, embryogenic calli and callus-derived embryos was differently affected by the different parameters studied. Our results showed that the use of 5-7 mm-long flower buds, a cold (4 A degrees C) pretreatment during 4 days, a 32 A degrees C heat shock for 3 days, and the addition of 3 % maltose and 2 mgl(-1) 2,4-D and 1 mgl(-1) BAP to the culture medium, was beneficial for embryo production. Overall, this work demonstrates that DH technology is possible in borage, and opens the door for future improvements needed to finally obtain borage DH plants.Eshaghi, ZC.; Abdollahi, MR.; Moosavi, SS.; Deljou, A.; Seguí-Simarro, JM. (2015). Induction of androgenesis and production of haploid embryos in anther cultures of borage (Borago officinalis L.). Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture. 122:321-329. doi:10.1007/s11240-015-0768-5S321329122Abdollahi MR, Moieni A, Javaran MJ (2004) Interactive effects of shock and culture density on embryo induction in isolated microspore culture of Brassica napus L. cv. Global Iranian J Biotech 2:97–100Bohanec B, Neskovic M, Vujicic R (1993) Anther culture and androgenetic plant regeneration in buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 35:259–266Calleberg E, Johansson L (1996) Effect of gelling agents on anther cultures. In: Jain SM, Sopory SK, Veilleux RE (eds) In vitro haploid production in higher plants, vol 23. Springer, Netherlands, pp 189–203Custers JBM, Cordewener JHG, Nöllen Y, Dons JJ, van Lookeren-Campagne MM (1994) Temperature controls both gametophytic and sporophytic development in microspore cultures of Brassica napus. Plant Cell Rep 13:267–271Ferrie AMR (2013) Advances in microspore culture technology: a biotechnological tool for the improvement of medicinal plants. In: Chandra S et al (eds) Biotechnology for medicinal plants. Springer, Berlin, pp 191–206Ferrie AMR, Caswell KL (2011) Isolated microspore culture techniques and recent progress for haploid and doubled haploid plant production. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 104:301–309Ferrie AMR, Bethune T, Mykytyshyn M (2011) Microspore embryogenesis in the Apiaceae. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 104:399–406Forster BP, Heberle-Bors E, Kasha KJ, Touraev A (2007) The resurgence of haploids in higher plants. Trends Plant Sci 12:368–375Gamborg OL, Miller RA, Ojiwa K (1968) Nutrient requirements of suspension culture of soybean root callus. Exp Cell Res 50:151–158Guil-Guerrero JL, García-Maroto F, Vilches-Ferrón MA, López-Alonso D (2003) Gamma-linolenic acid from fourteen Boraginaceae species. Ind Crop Prod 18:85–89Horrobin DF (1983) The regulation of prostaglandin biosynthesis by the manipulation of essential fatty acid metabolism. Rev Pure Appl Pharmacol Sci 4:339–383Irikova T, Grozeva S, Rodeva V (2011) Anther culture in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) in vitro. Acta Physiol Plant 33:1559–1570Lauxen MS, Kaltchuk-Santos E, Hu CY, Callegari-Jacques SM, Bodanese-Zanettini MH (2003) Association between floral bud size and developmental stage in soybean microspores. Braz Arch Biol Technol 46:515–520Leach CR, Mayo O, Bürger R (1990) Quantitatively determined self-incompatibility. Outcrossing in Borago officinalis. Theoret Appl Genetics 79:427–430Lichter R (1982) Induction of haploid plants from isolated pollen of Brassica napus. Z Pflanzenphysiol 105:427–434Maluszynski M, Kasha KJ, Szarejko I (2003) Published doubled haploid protocols in plant species. In: Maluszynski M, Kasha KJ, Forster BP, Szarejko I (eds) Doubled haploid production in crop plants. A manual. Kluwer, Dordrecht, pp 309–335Maraschin SF, de Priester W, Spaink HP, Wang M (2005) Androgenic switch: an example of plant embryogenesis from the male gametophyte perspective. J Exp Bot 56:1711–1726McDonald BE, Fitzpatrick K (1998) Designer Vegetable Oils. In: Mazza G (ed) Functional foods, biochemical and processing aspects. Technomic Publ Co. Inc, Lancaster, pp 265–291Ozkum D, Tipirdamaz R (2002) The effects of cold treatment and charcoal on the in vitro androgenesis of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Turk J Bot 26:131–139Parra-Vega V, González-García B, Seguí-Simarro JM (2013a) Morphological markers to correlate bud and anther development with microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Acta Physiol Plant 35:627–633Parra-Vega V, Renau-Morata B, Sifres A, Seguí-Simarro JM (2013b) Stress treatments and in vitro culture conditions influence microspore embryogenesis and growth of callus from anther walls of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 112:353–360Raquin C (1983) Utilization of different sugars as carbon sources for in vitro cultures of Petuina. Z Pflanzenphysol 111:453–457Salas P, Rivas-Sendra A, Prohens J, Seguí-Simarro JM (2012) Influence of the stage for anther excision and heterostyly in embryogenesis induction from eggplant anther cultures. Euphytica 184:235–250Seguí-Simarro JM (2010) Androgenesis revisited. Bot Rev 76:377–404Seguí-Simarro JM, Nuez F (2006) Androgenesis induction from tomato anther cultures: callus characterization. Acta Hort 725:855–861Seguí-Simarro JM, Corral-Martínez P, Parra-Vega V, González-García B (2011) Androgenesis in recalcitrant solanaceous crops. Plant Cell Rep 30:765–778Shariatpanahi ME, Bal U, Heberle-Bors E, Touraev A (2006) Stresses applied for the reprogramming of plant microspores towards in vitro embryogenesis. Physiol Plant 127:519–534Simon JE, Chadwick AF, Craker LE (1984) Herbs: an indexed bibliography. 1971–1980. The scientific literature on selected herbs, and aromatic and medicinal plants of the temperate zone. Archon Books, Hamden, CTSkrzypek E, Czyczyło-Mysza I, Marcińska I, Wędzony M (2008) Prospects of androgenetic induction in Lupinus spp. Plant Cell Tissue Organ Cult 94(2):131–137Snape JW (1989) Doubled haploid breeding: theoretical basis and practical applications. In: Mujeeb-Kazi A, Sitch LA (eds) Review of advances in plant biotechnology, 1985–1988: 2nd international symposium genetic manipulation in crops. Mexico and Manila, CIMMYT and IRRI, pp 19–30Tipirdamaz R, Ellialtioğlu Ş (1998) The effects of cold treatments and activated charcoal on ABA contents of anthers and in vitro androgenesis in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.). In: Tsekos I, Moustakas M (eds) Progress in botanical research, Proceedings of the 1st Balkan botanical congress. Kluwer Academic Publishers, The NetherlandsVagera J, Havranek P (1985) In vitro induction of androgenesis in Capsicum annuum L. and its genetic aspests. Biol Plant 27(1):10–21Zur I, Dubas E, Golemiec E, Szechynska-Hebda M, Golebiowska G, Wedzony M (2009) Stress-related variation in antioxidative enzymes activity and cell metabolism efficiency associated with embryogenesis induction in isolated microspore culture of triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm.). Plant Cell Rep 28:1279–128

Genetic association study of QT interval highlights role for calcium signaling pathways in myocardial repolarization.

The QT interval, an electrocardiographic measure reflecting myocardial repolarization, is a heritable trait. QT prolongation is a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) and could indicate the presence of the potentially lethal mendelian long-QT syndrome (LQTS). Using a genome-wide association and replication study in up to 100,000 individuals, we identified 35 common variant loci associated with QT interval that collectively explain ∼8-10% of QT-interval variation and highlight the importance of calcium regulation in myocardial repolarization. Rare variant analysis of 6 new QT interval-associated loci in 298 unrelated probands with LQTS identified coding variants not found in controls but of uncertain causality and therefore requiring validation. Several newly identified loci encode proteins that physically interact with other recognized repolarization proteins. Our integration of common variant association, expression and orthogonal protein-protein interaction screens provides new insights into cardiac electrophysiology and identifies new candidate genes for ventricular arrhythmias, LQTS and SCD

Distinguishing four components underlying physical activity: a new approach to using physical activity questionnaire data in old age

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>It is evident that physical activity has many benefits, but it often remains unclear which types of activity are optimal for health and functioning in old age. The aim of this methodological study was to propose a method for distinguishing four components underlying self reported physical activity of older adults: intensity, muscle strength, turning actions and mechanical strain.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Physical activity was assessed by the validated LAPAQ questionnaire among 1699 older adults of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam. Based on expert consultation and literature review, the four component scores for several individual daily and sports activities were developed. Factor analysis was performed to confirm whether the developed components indeed measured different constructs of physical activity.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Based on the factor analyses, three components were distinguished: 1. intensity and muscle strength loaded on the same factor, 2. mechanical strain and 3. turning actions. Analyses in gender, age and activity level subgroups consistently distinguished three factors.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Future research using these components may contribute to our understanding of how specific daily and sports activities may have a different influence on health and physical functioning in old age.</p

Intergenic Transcription, Cell-Cycle and the Developmentally Regulated Epigenetic Profile of the Human Beta-Globin Locus

Several lines of evidence have established strong links between transcriptional activity and specific post-translation modifications of histones. Here we show using RNA FISH that in erythroid cells, intergenic transcription in the human β-globin locus occurs over a region of greater than 250 kb including several genes in the nearby olfactory receptor gene cluster. This entire region is transcribed during S phase of the cell cycle. However, within this region there are ∼20 kb sub-domains of high intergenic transcription that occurs outside of S phase. These sub-domains are developmentally regulated and enriched with high levels of active modifications primarily to histone H3. The sub-domains correspond to the β-globin locus control region, which is active at all developmental stages in erythroid cells, and the region flanking the developmentally regulated, active globin genes. These results correlate high levels of non-S phase intergenic transcription with domain-wide active histone modifications to histone H3

The effect of clinician-patient alliance and communication on treatment adherence in mental health care: a systematic review

Background Nonadherence to mental health treatment incurs clinical and economic burdens. The clinician-patient alliance, negotiated through clinical interaction, presents a critical intervention point. Recent medical reviews of communication and adherence behaviour exclude studies with psychiatric samples. The following examines the impact of clinician-patient alliance and communication on adherence in mental health, identifying the specific mechanisms that mobilise patient engagement. Methods In December 2010, a systematic search was conducted in Pubmed, PsychInfo, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase and Cinahl and yielded 6672 titles. A secondary hand search was performed in relevant journals, grey literature and reference. Results 23 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. The methodological quality overall was moderate. 17 studies reported positive associations with adherence, only four of which employed intervention designs. 10 studies examined the association between clinician-patient alliance and adherence. Subjective ratings of clinical communication styles and messages were assessed in 12 studies. 1 study examined the association between objectively rated communication and adherence. Meta-analysis was not possible due to heterogeneity of methods. Findings were presented as a narrative synthesis. Conclusions Clinician-patient alliance and communication are associated with more favourable patient adherence. Further research of observer rated communication would better facilitate the application of findings in clinical practice. Establishing agreement on the tasks of treatment, utilising collaborative styles of communication and discussion of treatment specifics may be important for clinicians in promoting cooperation with regimens. These findings align with those in health communication. However, the benefits of shared decision making for adherence in mental health are less conclusive than in general medicine

Put My Skills to Use? Understanding the Joint Effect of Job Security and Skill Utilization on Job Satisfaction Between Skilled Migrants and Australian Born Workers in Australia

The topic of skilled migrants has gained importance in the past decade as they are increasingly becoming one of the main drivers for labor supply in developed countries like Australia. Although there is research on skilled migrants, most have been studied from the perspectives of (un)employment, wage and over-education. Some evidence suggests that skilled migrants are often less satisfied with their job compared to their local counterparts, yet little is known about why these differences exist. Using a nationally representative sample of Australian workers, we examine how two important job characteristics, job security and skill utilization, exert their differential interaction effect on job satisfaction for skilled migrants and Australian born workers. We found a differential moderation effect between job security and skill utilization for skilled migrants and Australian born workers. For skilled migrants, high job security did not lead to positive reaction (i.e., job satisfaction), as this effect was dependent on their skill utilization; while such moderation effect was not present for Australian born workers. This study highlights the need to take a more fine-tuned approach by understanding target sample groups (e.g., skilled migrants) when study the relationship between key job characteristics and job satisfaction. Furthermore, it highlights the importance for organizations to revisit their human resource management strategies and policies to recognize the needs for enhancing skill utilization for skilled migrants

Genomic Organization of H2Av Containing Nucleosomes in Drosophila Heterochromatin

H2Av is a versatile histone variant that plays both positive and negative roles in transcription, DNA repair, and chromatin structure in Drosophila. H2Av, and its broader homolog H2A.Z, tend to be enriched toward 5′ ends of genes, and exist in both euchromatin and heterochromatin. Its organization around euchromatin genes and other features have been described in many eukaryotic model organisms. However, less is known about H2Av nucleosome organization in heterochromatin. Here we report the properties and organization of individual H2Av nucleosomes around genes and transposable elements located in Drosophila heterochromatic regions. We compare the similarity and differences with that found in euchromatic regions. Our analyses suggest that nucleosomes are intrinsically positioned on inverted repeats of DNA transposable elements such as those related to the “1360” element, but are not intrinsically positioned on retrotransposon-related elements

Biomarkers in Natural Fish Populations Indicate Adverse Biological Effects of Offshore Oil Production

Despite the growing awareness of the necessity of a sustainable development, the global economy continues to depend largely on the consumption of non-renewable energy resources. One such energy resource is fossil oil extracted from the seabed at offshore oil platforms. This type of oil production causes continuous environmental pollution from drilling waste, discharge of large amounts of produced water, and accidental spills.Samples from natural populations of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) and Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in two North Sea areas with extensive oil production were investigated. Exposure to and uptake of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were demonstrated, and biomarker analyses revealed adverse biological effects, including induction of biotransformation enzymes, oxidative stress, altered fatty acid composition, and genotoxicity. Genotoxicity was reflected by a hepatic DNA adduct pattern typical for exposure to a mixture of PAHs. Control material was collected from a North Sea area without oil production and from remote Icelandic waters. The difference between the two control areas indicates significant background pollution in the North Sea.It is most remarkable to obtain biomarker responses in natural fish populations in the open sea that are similar to the biomarker responses in fish from highly polluted areas close to a point source. Risk assessment of various threats to the marine fish populations in the North Sea, such as overfishing, global warming, and eutrophication, should also take into account the ecologically relevant impact of offshore oil production