Physical activity, sleep pattern and energy expenditure in double-handed offshore sailing

AIM: The aim of the present study was to quantify total energy expenditure, activity energy expenditure and time spent at three levels of physical activity (low, moderate, high intensity) in four two--person crews during a 500--mile double--handed sailing regatta. METHODS: Physical activity intensity and energy expenditure were assessed during a 500 nautical miles double--handed offshore competition in eight male sailors (46.3 \ub1 3.4 years; 180 \ub1 13 cm; 85.4 \ub1 12.5 kg). They wore continuously an activity monitor that estimates energy expenditure and minutes spent at each level of intensity (sedentary, 6.0 METs). RESULTS: The sailors spent longer periods (P < 0.0001) of time in sedentary (823 \ub1 193 min c5d--1) and light physical activities (516 \ub1 177 min c5d--1) than in moderate (95 \ub1 34 min c5d--1) or vigorous (6 \ub1 4 min c5d--1) physical activities. They slept 5 times per day (\ub1 1.4) for 36 min (\ub1 9) in each sleeping period. The total energy expenditure was 14.26 \ub1 1.89 MJ c5day--1 and the activity energy expenditure was 5.06 \ub1 1.42 MJ c5day--1. Activity energy expenditure was significantly correlated with total sleep time, boat speed, and distance covered each day (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The high total energy expenditure was more likely a consequence of the short and rare periods of sleep during the competition rather than of the bouts of moderate and vigorous physical activities

Expression of an osmotin-like protein from Solanum nigrumconfers drought tolerance in transgenic soybean

Background: Drought is by far the most important environmental factor contributing to yield losses in crops, including soybeans [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. To address this problem, a gene that encodes an osmotin-like protein isolated from Solanum nigrum var. americanum (SnOLP) driven by the UBQ3 promoter from Arabidopsis thaliana was transferred into the soybean genome by particle bombardment. Results: Two independently transformed soybean lines expressing SnOLP were produced. Segregation analyses indicated single-locus insertions for both lines. qPCR analysis suggested a single insertion of SnOLP in the genomes of both transgenic lines, but one copy of the hpt gene was inserted in the first line and two in the second line. Transgenic plants exhibited no remarkable phenotypic alterations in the seven analyzed generations. When subjected to water deficit, transgenic plants performed better than the control ones. Leaf physiological measurements revealed that transgenic soybean plants maintained higher leaf water potential at predawn, higher net CO2 assimilation rate, higher stomatal conductance and higher transpiration rate than non-transgenic plants. Grain production and 100-grain weight were affected by water supply. Decrease in grain productivity and 100-grain weight were observed for both transgenic and non-transgenic plants under water deficit; however, it was more pronounced for non-transgenic plants. Moreover, transgenic lines showed significantly higher 100-grain weight than non-transgenic plants under water shortage. Conclusions: This is the first report showing that expression of SnOLP in transgenic soybeans improved physiological responses and yield components of plants when subjected to water deficit, highlighting the potential of this gene for biotechnological applications

Haemodynamic Issues with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation

Transcatheter aortic valves are typically implanted inside the native (or failed bioprosthetic’s) leaflets, permanently forcing the old leaflets open into a pseudo-cylindrical condition. Due to the passive nature of heart valves, the dynamics of the surrounding fluid environment is critical to their optimum performance. Following intervention, the haemodynamics of the region would ideally be returned to their healthy, physiological state, but major alterations are currently inevitable, such as increased peak flow velocity, the presence of stagnation regions, and increased haemolytic fluid environments. These leaflets reduce the volume of and restrict the flow into the Valsalva’s sinuses, and minimise the development of vortices and associated flow structures, which would aid washout and valve closure. Despite these differences to the healthy condition, implantation of these devices offers much improved flow from that of a moderately stenotic valve, with reduced transvalvular systolic pressure drop, peak blood velocity, and shear stress, which normally outweighs the disadvantages highlighted above, especially for high-risk patients