Body Composition of Female Collegiate Track and Field Athletes

The aim of this study is to see if there is a correlation between an athlete\u27s body compostion and the demands of their different track and field events. Track and field is arugably the most diverse when it comes to body types in a single sport, with distance runners tending to be leaner and smaller and throwers more muscular and larger. However, most data collected is not female specfic. Thirty-one female track and field athletes were asked to take part in a series of physical measurements, which included recording their height, weight, percent body fat, and muscle mass. They were also asked to fill out a questionaire about their events, including person best and latest performance. This data was then used to compare muscle mass and percent fat across the event groups (distance, multis, sprints, jumps, throws) in which there was a linear relationship between the two with the exception of the multi event group. Percent muscle and percent fat were also looked at in terms of performance, in which there was no relationship. Finally, events were grouped by edurance and explosive athletes in which the edurance athletes were leaner, but the explosive athletes had more muscle mass. Across the board, there were many indicators that each event had specfic body composition characteristics, but that these characteristics were not a definiate indicator of performance

The Biological and Biochemical Characterization of KRAS4B Q61 Mutants

Nearly 30% of human cancers have mutations in one of the three RAS genes. Despite over 30 years of dedicated research, no effective therapies against cancers caused by RAS oncogene mutations have reached clinical application. Striking differences in the frequencies of missense mutations seen in RAS-mutant cancers suggest that RAS mutations previously assumed to equally result in activation have distinct consequences on protein structure and function. We hypothesized that different point mutations at the hotspot residue Q61 will have distinct consequences on RAS structure and function, resulting in unique biological activities. We evaluated the effects on biochemical and biological properties of the common mutants KRAS Q61H, KRAS Q61L, and KRAS Q61R and the rare KRAS Q61E and KRAS Q61P. We found that these KRAS Q61 mutants exhibited varying trends of guanine nucleotide exchange as well as binding to RAS effector domains in vitro. KRAS Q61L exhibited increased GEF-stimulated nucleotide exchange, whereas the Q61R and Q61P mutants were poorly responsive to GEFs. Ectopic expression of KRAS Q61 mutants in NIH 3T3 and RIE-1 cells revealed variable mutation-dependent effector signal activation, morphologic transformation and anchorage-independent growth. Unlike the other mutants, KRAS Q61E and KRAS Q61P did not appear to be activated based on morphological traits. Analysis of signaling through RAS effectors indicated these mutants were still activated; however, it still suggested that they are biologically different from each other. Q61 mutants do not equally induce actin stress fiber formation, cell migration and KRAS-dependent macropinocytosis. Our studies suggest that determination of RAS mutation-specific effects will allow for identification of mutation-selective vulnerabilities and therapies for KRAS Q61 mutants.Bachelor of Scienc

Keeping warm: social connectedness and technology (a case study of Rotherham (England): technology and health in the elderly.

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the relationship between social connectedness and modern technology with the ability of older people to keep warm during winter. Findings from previous research in England found that high fuel prices, low income and changing patterns of fuel consumption are key barriers to keeping warm in winter for many families. Living in a cold home increases the risk of winter hospital admissions, especially among the elderly with respiratory problems. This multi disciplinary interview-based project conducted in Rotherham (England) involved social care professionals, public health specialists, and user–representatives, sociologists and medical anthropologists. We have identified many ways in which modern technology is a barrier in heating homes in winter. Using the sociological theory of Symbolic Interaction (SI) we will discuss how social connectedness and use of modern technology influences older people in heating their homes and ultimately how these factors affect their health and well being. This paper is aimed at social care professionals, policy makers, public health specialists and governments

Primary care physicians’ knowledge and confidence in providing cancer survivorship care: a systematic review

Purpose: To systematically review existing literature on knowledge and confidence of primary care physicians (PCPs) in cancer survivorship care. Methods: PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched from inception to July 2022 for quantitative and qualitative studies. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for eligibility and quality. Outcomes were characterized by domains of quality cancer survivorship care. Results: Thirty-three papers were included, representing 28 unique studies; 22 cross-sectional surveys, 8 qualitative, and 3 mixed-methods studies. Most studies were conducted in North America (n = 23) and Europe (n = 8). For surveys, sample sizes ranged between 29 and 1124 PCPs. Knowledge and confidence in management of physical (n = 19) and psychosocial effects (n = 12), and surveillance for recurrences (n = 14) were described most often. Generally, a greater proportion of PCPs reported confidence in managing psychosocial effects (24–47% of PCPs, n= 5 studies) than physical effects (10–37%, n = 8). PCPs generally thought they had the necessary knowledge to detect recurrences (62–78%, n = 5), but reported limited confidence to do so (6–40%, n = 5). There was a commonly perceived need for education on long-term and late physical effects (n = 6), and cancer surveillance guidelines (n = 9). Conclusions: PCPs’ knowledge and confidence in cancer survivorship care varies across care domains. Suboptimal outcomes were identified in managing physical effects and recurrences after cancer. Implications for Cancer Survivors: These results provide insights into the potential role of PCPs in cancer survivorship care, medical education, and development of targeted interventions

Understanding factors influencing vulnerable older people keeping warm and well in winter: a qualitative study using social marketing techniques

Objectives To understand the influences and decisions of vulnerable older people in relation to keeping warm in winter. Design A qualitative study incorporating in-depth, semi-structured individual and group interviews, framework analysis and social marketing segmentation techniques. Setting Rotherham, South Yorkshire, UK. Participants 50 older people (>55) and 25 health and social care staff underwent individual interview. The older people also had household temperature measurements. 24 older people and 19 health and social care staff participated in one of the six group interviews. Results Multiple complex factors emerged to explain whether vulnerable older people were able to keep warm. These influences combined in various ways that meant older people were not able to or preferred not to access help or change home heating behaviour. Factors influencing behaviours and decisions relating to use of heating, spending money, accessing cheaper tariffs, accessing benefits or asking for help fell into three main categories. These were situational and contextual factors, attitudes and values, and barriers. Barriers included poor knowledge and awareness, technology, disjointed systems and the invisibility of fuel and fuel payment. Findings formed the basis of a social marketing segmentation model used to develop six pen portraits that illustrated how factors that conspire against older people being able to keep warm. Conclusions The findings illustrate how and why vulnerable older people may be at risk of a cold home. The pen portraits provide an accessible vehicle and reflective tool to raise the capacity of the NHS in responding to their needs in line with the Cold Weather Plan

Inovação e internacionalização bioindustrial em Minas Gerais 2001-2004: como potencializar oportunidades e avançar rumo a 2020?

Visando à formulação de políticas de desenvolvimento bioindustrial em Minas Gerais, o artigo analisa e integra resultados de duas pesquisas realizadas em 2004: uma delas, empírica, sobre a evolução bioindustrial mineira no período 2001-04 e a outra, um estudo de políticas bioindustriais internacionais. Duas constatações da primeira pesquisa são percebidas como oportunidades a serem promovidas, à luz de modelos de políticas internacionais, identificados na segunda pesquisa. Numa amostra de 42 empresas bioindustriais, selecionadas de 75 em operação naquele estado, fica evidente, de um lado, um decréscimo no número de empresas, mas também uma ampliação da capacidade inovadora, indicada pelo surgimento de novos entrantes com maior potencial tecnológico, produção de nível mundial e investimentos venture capital. De outro lado, com relação à internacionalização, constata-se, nas organizações pesquisadas, um incremento das exportações, da intenção de "exportar mais no futuro" e avanços quanto à capacidade de atuação no mercado externo. Após a avaliação e o detalhamento dessas oportunidades, ao final, são propostas políticas para promoção e apoio ao setor bioindustrial, conforme políticas-padrão praticadas em nível internacional