Impaired thermoregulatory function during dynamic exercise in multiple sclerosis

INTRODUCTION: Impairments in sudomotor function during passive whole-body heating have been reported in multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating disease of the CNS that disrupts autonomic function. However, the capability of the thermoregulatory system to control body temperature during exercise has never been assessed in MS. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that thermoregulatory function is impaired in MS patients compared to healthy controls (CON) exercising at similar rates of metabolic heat production. METHODS: Sweating and skin blood flow responses were compared between 12 individuals diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS (9 females, 3 males) and 12 sex-, age-, mass- and BSA-matched healthy controls during a single bout of cycling exercise (rate of metabolic heat production: ~4.5 W/kg) for 60 min in a climate-controlled room (25 °C, 30% RH). RESULTS: Individuals with MS exhibited an attenuated increase in cumulative whole-body sweat loss after 30 min (MS: 72 ± 51; CON: 104 ± 37 g, p=0.04) and 60 min (MS: 209 ± 94; CON: 285 ± 62 g, p=0.02), as well as lower sweating thermosensitivity (MS: 0.49 ± 0.26; CON: 0.86 ± 0.30 mg/cm2/min/°C, p=0.049). Despite evidence for thermoregulatory dysfunction, there were no differences between MS and CON in esophageal or rectal temperatures at 30 or 60 min time points (p>0.05). Cutaneous vasculature responses were also not different in MS compared to CON (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Taken together, MS blunts sweating responses during exercise while cutaneous vasculature responses are preserved. Altered mechanisms of body temperature regulation in persons with MS may lead to temporary worsening of disease symptoms and limit exercise tolerance under more thermally challenging conditions.Accepted manuscrip

Idiopathic scoliosis and pineal lesions in Australian children

PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment of pineal lesions in children is associated with development of idiopathic scoliosis. METHODS: 38 boys and 10 girls with pineal lesions were identified. Their mean age at presentation was 10 years. The pineal pathology varied from cysts and epidermoid to teratoma, germinoma, pineocytoma, and glioblastoma. Treatment ranged from biopsy/extirpation to radiotherapy. RESULTS: 12 patients died. No scoliosis was found in any females or any of the deceased. Two boys had scoliosis: one had a 12-degree right upper thoracic curve with 32-degree kyphosis and the other had a 60-degree right thoracolumbar idiopathic curve, requiring a 2-stage arthrodesis. CONCLUSION: Pineal ablation is not related to the development of idiopathic scoliosis in humans

Physiological Considerations of Heat Intolerance in People with Multiple Sclerosis

Up to 80% of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience Uhthoff’s phenomenon, which is characterised by a temporary worsening of neurological symptoms and a concomitant onset of fatigue during exercise and/or with exposure to a hot environment. In order to understand the best strategies to mitigate the onset of heat-related MS symptoms and associated fatigue, we need to closer examine the underlying physiological mechanisms responsible for this phenomenon. The purpose of the present thesis was to explore the potential thermo-physiological mechanisms responsible for Uhthoff’s phenomenon in heat-sensitive MS patients during rest and exercise in hot (up to 35°C) environments. Specifically, study 1 sought to determine whether resting core temperature and metabolic rate was elevated in people with relapsing-remitting MS and to assess whether an elevated resting core temperature was associated with subjective measures of physical, cognitive and psychosocial fatigue. Study 2 sought to determine whether a contributing factor to heat intolerance in MS patients, was in part, a greater rise in core temperature by virtue of a blunted thermoregulatory response during exercise in warm (30°C) and hot (35°C) environments. This study measured deep core temperature, alongside sweating and skin blood flow responses in people with relapsing-remitting MS, compared to healthy controls while cycling in climate-controlled chamber. Finally, study 3 assessed whether ingestion of cold-water during exercise in a warm environment could prolong exercise tolerance in heat-sensitive people with MS

Strength, stiffness and ductility of concrete-filled steel columns under axial compression

YesExtensive experimental and theoretical studies have been conducted on the compressive strength of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns, but little attention has been paid to their compressive stiffness and deformation capacity. Despite this, strength prediction approaches in existing design codes still have various limitations. A finite element model, which was previously proposed by the authors and verified using a large amount of experimental data, is used in this paper to generate simulation data covering a wide range of parameters for circular and rectangular CFST stub columns under axial compression. Regression analysis is conducted to propose simplified models to predict the compressive strength, the compressive stiffness, and the compressive strain corresponding to the compressive strength (ductility) for the composite columns. Based on the new strength prediction model, the capacity reduction factors for the steel and concrete materials are recalibrated to achieve a target reliability index of 3.04 when considering resistance effect only

Identifying significant contributors to milk production in the absence of the Herd Size Effect

Prior to the commencement of deregulation from 1 July 2000, the Australian Dairy Research and Development Corporation conducted a large-scale telephone survey of 1826 Australian dairy farms to examine the current on-farm management practices in relation to milk production and farm and farmer demographics. The questionnaire results from the 214 dairy farms in the sub-tropical region of South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales were analysed (Zamykal et al. 2007) to uncover those significant inputs that affect milk production

The influence of temperature, inoculum level and race of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense on the disease reaction of banana cv. Cavendish

Cavendish banana plants were grown in soil infested with different levels of microconidia of races 1 and 4 of Fusarium oxyspomm Schlect. f. sp. cubense (E.F. Smith) Snyd. & Hans. The 4-week-old plants were incubated at 20¦ and 28¦C in temperature controlled cabinets subject to natural light fluctuations. Race 1, which does not normally infect Cavendish in the field, infected the plants at both temperatures, as did race 4. Results indicated that temperature was primarily affecting plant growth rather than influencing the aggressiveness of the pathogen. Inoculum levels were also found to influence disease severity with a minimum of 4.5 x l04 microconidia/g dry weight of soil required before macroscopic symptoms were observed. The suitability of month-old tissue culture derived plants for screening for resistance and the evolution of the Cavendish attacking race 4 strains are discussed in the light of these findings

Schooling in a time of disruption : the impact of COVID-19 from the perspective of five New South Wales (Australia) secondary principals

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Online learning in a time of COVID disruption? The experiences of principals from New South Wales rural and disadvantaged primary schools

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Your success is our goal: An intervention for failing students

More diversity is now shown in students gaining admission into universities, many who are ill-equipped for first-year studies and assessment writing. This can result in a failing grade for some, which can impact their success and progression. This study contributes to the student success literature by reporting on the six-step one-on-one targeted intervention strategy devised to support the 33 out of 500 students who were unsuccessful in their first university assessment and its resubmission. The study also details the theoretical framework that underpinned the subject—Carol Dweck’s growth mindset, Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, and the maxim “Your success is our goal”! The study determined that: i) the intervention was successful for the 33 students who each passed the assessment; ii) a pre- and post-intervention writing skills assessment showed an improvement of +0.67 to give an average of 3.48, where 3 is a pass, and iii) at interview, students (76.9%) reported their improved writing abilities and that the intervention support was helpful. The study concluded that failing students can be successful when they are encouraged to use a growth mindset and individually supported to develop their writing skills