An increase in copy number of Myosin Light Chain Kinase 1 associates with increased force production in Lithuanian athletes

Copy number variation has been linked to the development of various diseases, however copy number variants have not been investigated for associations with athletic performance. The present study investigated copy number variation of the Myosin Light Chain Kinase (MYLK)1 and MYLK-Antisense 1 (MYLK-AS1) genes for associations with athletic performance in a cohort of Lithuanian athletes and controls. We hypothesised that increased MYLK1 copy number and decreased MYLK-AS1 copy number would be associated with strength and power athletes (STP) and measures of muscle performance. DNA was extracted from blood samples of 407 athletes and controls. Copy number of the target genes was determined using a multiplexed quantitative-polymerase chain reaction and the use of a multicopy reference assay. A higher MYLK1 copy number was overrepresented in the STP compared with controls (p=0.028[OR=9.97, 95% CI: 1.19-83.81); however endurance athletes did not differ from controls or STP (p≥0.661; χ²≤0.829). Positive correlations between MYLK1 copy number and strength and power performance were detected. Individuals with three copies were able to produce more power in isokinetic tests, jump higher and sprint faster than individuals with two copies in the whole cohort and these correlations were stronger in the STP. The strongest correlations found were with MYLK copy number and isokinetic flexion of the arm in STP (p=0.003, R²=7.78). MYLK-AS1 did not associate with athlete status or measures of athletic performance (p>0.05). The improvements in performance with increased copy number indicate that copy number variants are associated with improved skeletal muscle phenotypes. These results, further current knowledge of how genetic variants underpin muscle phenotypes and indicate that MYLK1 potentially could be used as a target for improvements in athletic performance and treatment of muscle wasting disorders

Combustion synthesis of ceramic and metal-matrix composites

Combustion synthesis or self-propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) is effected by heating a reactant mixture, to above the ignition temperature (Tig) whereupon an exothermic reaction is initiated which produces a maximum or combustion temperature, Tc. These SHS reactions are being used to produce ceramics, intermetallics, and composite materials. One of the major limitations of this process is that relatively high levels of porosity, e.g., 50 percent, remain in the product. Conducting these SHS reactions under adiabatic conditions, the maximum temperature is the adiabatic temperature, Tad, and delta H (Tad) = 0, Tad = Tc. If the reactants or products go through a phase change, the latent heat of transformation needs to be taken into account

Bismuth incorporation and the role of ordering in GaAsBi/GaAs structures

The structure and composition of single GaAsBi/GaAs epilayers grown by molecular beam epitaxy were investigated by optical and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Firstly, the GaAsBi layers exhibit two distinct regions and a varying Bi composition profile in the growth direction. In the lower (25 nm) region, the Bi content decays exponentially from an initial maximum value, while the upper region comprises an almost constant Bi content until the end of the layer. Secondly, despite the relatively low Bi content, CuPtB-type ordering was observed both in electron diffraction patterns and in fast Fourier transform reconstructions from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy images. The estimation of the long-range ordering parameter and the development of ordering maps by using geometrical phase algorithms indicate a direct connection between the solubility of Bi and the amount of ordering. The occurrence of both phase separation and atomic ordering has a significant effect on the optical properties of these layers

Making Research Matter Comment on "Public Spending on Health Service and Policy Research in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States:A Modest Proposal"

We offer a UK-based commentary on the recent “Perspective” published in IJHPM by Thakkar and Sullivan. We are sympathetic to the authors’ call for increased funding for health service and policy research (HSPR). However, we point out that increasing that investment – in any of the three countries they compare: Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom– will ipso facto not necessarily lead to any better use of research by health system decision-makers in these settings. We cite previous authors’ descriptions of the many factors that tend to make the worlds of researchers and decision-makers into “two solitudes.” And we call for changes in the structure and funding of HSPR, particularly the incentives now in place for purely academic publishing, to tackle a widespread reality: most published research in HSPR, as in other applied fields of science, is never read or used by the vast majority of decision-makers, working out in the “real world.

In situ effects of selected preservatives on total carbon, nitrogen and metals collected in sediment traps

The concentration and chemical composition of preservative or poison to use in sediment trap studies continue to present an important unresolved question. Past laboratory/field experiments designed to answer this question are difficult to interpret, because so-called analogs have been used instead of actual trap materials, which are compositionally complex. This paper presents our results on the in situ effects of formalin, azide and mercuric ion on material collected in MULTITRAPS set at 100 and 300 m for a period of six days in a coastal environment, and at 150 m for a period of 20.6 days in an oligotrophic environment. Effective preservative/poison concentrations used were predetermined from laboratory tests. Parameters tested for relative effects included particulate retention of C, N and selected trace metals, and the effects of the various preservatives/poisons introduced via diffusion chambers or free in solution on in situ microbial growth. In addition, the potential contaminating role of large, nonsinking zooplankton (i.e., “swimmers”) was investigated. Substantial differences between treatments were observed. Effects were not uniform, and appeared to be parameter-specific. For example, during the short-term deployment (six days), no significant differences in C flux were observed at 100 m, regardless of preservative used. Traps treated with azide yielded significantly lower N values. At 300 m (short-term deployment), and 150 m (long-term deployment), the azide treatments produced the lowest mean C and N values. Conversely, the formalin traps gave the highest C and N values relative to all treatments at these depths. In terms of metals, \u3e70% of both Cd and Mn were lost to the trap solutions, regardless of oceanic area or time deployed, while most of the Fe tended to remain in the particulate phase. Zinc, largely in association with the particulate phase over the six-day deployment, was lost to the density solution during the 20.6-day deployment, while Pb results were intermediate between these extremes. Results of the diffusion chamber experiment indicate that the formalin and mercuric ion treatments were equally effective regardless of the mode of introduction (i.e., diffusion chamber or free in solution). Azide did not appear as effective when introduced via diffusion

Making Research Matter Comment on “Public Spending on Health Service and Policy Research in Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States: A Modest Proposal”

Abstract We offer a UK-based commentary on the recent “Perspective” published in IJHPM by Thakkar and Sullivan. We are sympathetic to the authors’ call for increased funding for health service and policy research (HSPR). However, we point out that increasing that investment – in any of the three countries they compare: Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom– will ipso facto not necessarily lead to any better use of research by health system decision-makers in these settings. We cite previous authors’ descriptions of the many factors that tend to make the worlds of researchers and decision-makers into “two solitudes.” And we call for changes in the structure and funding of HSPR, particularly the incentives now in place for purely academic publishing, to tackle a widespread reality: most published research in HSPR, as in other applied fields of science, is never read or used by the vast majority of decision-makers, working out in the “real world.

Keratinocyte Expression of MHC Class II Antigens in Allergic Sensitization and Challenge Reactions and in Irritant Contact Dermatitis

Keratinocytes expressed major histocompatibility complex class II antigens during the development of irritant contact dermatitis, and during the induction of contact hypersensitivity, as well as in established allergic contact dermatitis. A battery of anti-class II monoclonal antibodies, some of which are specific for class II subregion products (DP, DQ, DR), was used in an immunohistochemical study of the sequential changes in the allergic challenge reactions to dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) and nickel, the irritant response to anthralin, and the induction of sensitization to DNCB. The induction of keratinocyte class II expression paralleled the influx of Leu-3a+ T cells into the skin and had occurred by 24 or 48h in each type of reaction. Differential expression of class II subregion products on keratinocytes was noted: DR was the most frequently expressed molecule, followed by DP and DQ, although in the irritant response, DP expression was not observed. The importance of these observations can be decided only by functional studies

Adolescents' longitudinal trajectories of mental health and loneliness: the impact of COVID-19 school closures

INTRODUCTION: Longitudinal research examining the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) school closures on the mental health of adolescents is scarce. Prolonged periods of physical and social isolation because of such restrictions may have impacted heavily on adolescents’ mental health and loneliness. METHODS: The current study addresses a major gap by examining the impact of school closures on the mental health and loneliness of 785, 10‐ to 17‐year‐old Western Australian adolescents (mean age = 14.1, SD = 1.31), who were surveyed across four time points: twice before COVID‐19, once as schools closed, and once post reopening of schools. Pre‐ and post‐COVID‐19 changes in mental health and loneliness were compared using linear mixed models. Random intercept cross‐lagged panel models (RI‐CLPMs) assessed temporal associations between loneliness, depression symptoms, and positive mental wellbeing. RESULTS: Compared with pre‐COVID‐19 symptom levels, there were significant increases in depression symptoms, internalizing and externalizing symptoms, and a significant decrease in positive mental wellbeing at different points over time. Symptom change over time differed according to gender and pre‐COVID‐19 symptom severity. Significant increases in positive attitudes towards being alone and feelings of isolation occurred at different points over time. Gender differences were evident. RI‐CLPMs highlighted the predictive significance of friendship quality and having a negative attitude towards being alone over time in relation to depression symptoms. A positive or negative attitude towards being alone was predictive of positive mental wellbeing over time. CONCLUSION: Findings provide evidence that COVID‐19‐related school closures adversely affected adolescents' mental health and feelings of loneliness