Prevalence of non-functional overreaching and the overtraining syndrome in Swiss elite athletes

Objectives: Fatigue and unaccountable underperformance are common for athletes, but there is a lack of empirical data regarding the prevalence of non-functional overreaching (NFOR) and the overtraining syndrome (OTS). Using the overtraining definition of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), the present study aimed to explore the prevalence, symptoms and associated factors of NFOR/OTS across Swiss elite athletes in various sports. Method: 139 Swiss elite athletes (63 males and 76 females, Mage = 23.6, SDage = 5.6 y) from 26 different sports completed a1 7-item online survey about underperformance and symptoms of NFOR/OTS. 95% of the sample represented Switzerland in their sport. Athletes were classified as NFOR/ OTS by according to the overtraining definition of the ECSS. Data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U nonparametric tests and ANOVAs. Results: 9% of the athletes were classified as OTS and 21% as NFOR at least once in their career. The prevalence was significantly higher in medium-physical demand sports than in low-physical demand sports (p = .02). There were no significant differences in the NFOR/OTS prevalence between individual and team sports and female and male athletes. Competition level and training load had also no significant influence on the NFOR/OTS prevalence, although low-physical demand sports trained significantly less than medium- and high-physical demand sports. Injury/illness, loss of weight and sleep disturbance rates were significantly higher in the NFOR/OTS group. More than 70% of the NFOR/OTS athletes reported loss of motivation and emotional disturbances. Conclusions: The NFOR/OTS career prevalence rate of Swiss elite athletes can be estimated at approximately 30%. NFOR/ OTS is accompanied by biopsychosocial signs of maladjustment, e.g., emotional disturbances, loss of motivation, sleep disturbances, injury/illness and weight loss, but training load is not a predictor of NFOR/OT

PSYCHO-SOCIAL PERCEPTIONS AND MANAGERIAL PREFERENCES OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS IN WESTERN ROMANIA

Women managers and the tradition of feminism in Romania It is a generally accepted fact that, since antiquity, under social and cultural facets, the human performance evaluations are, in their most frequent expression, profoundly male centered. While during the mid 20th century, the feminist movements registered a significant growth this was not a reality in the Eastern Europe. After the Second World War, the collective imagery enhanced, due to the propagandistic effort of the communist regime, a model of "new feminism" which excluded any realism and significance. The approaches of management starting from a certain typology of local mentalities, already has some tradition in the field literature. It is the object of thoroughly research based theories such as those of Geert Hofstede (Netherlands), Nancy Adler (SUA) or Gareth Morgan (Great Brittan)710 which developed theories on the so-called cross-cultural management noting the strong determinants of the national cultures impact on the managerial performance of firms. Following these approaches, our study propose the analysis of elements which can constitute an objective base of what we here call gender management. If there are significant differences between approaches of management determined by the cultural area where the entrepreneurial activity is taking place, we have sufficient arguments to consider that, regarding the managerial preferences of women there can be observed series of specificities. Consequently, in order to understand the managerial choices of women entrepreneurs from Romania, we must consider the psycho-social context and the particularities of the local culture where she is working, even more as, due to the globalization of markets one can note the standardization of organizational structures and processes. The way people expect a leader to act and the way he or she is communicating the decisions is grounded in a social normative structure incorporated in culture. A schematic analysis of our subjects answers provides the opportunity to develop some considerations regarding the basic attitudes of women entrepreneurs from the western Romania. Based upon the psycho-sociological investigations on organizational culture 71

11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 regulates glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle

OBJECTIVE: Glucocorticoid excess is characterized by increased adiposity, skeletal myopathy, and insulin resistance, but the precise molecular mechanisms are unknown. Within skeletal muscle, 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11beta-HSD1) converts cortisone (11-dehydrocorticosterone in rodents) to active cortisol (corticosterone in rodents). We aimed to determine the mechanisms underpinning glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and indentify how 11beta-HSD1 inhibitors improve insulin sensitivity. \ud RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Rodent and human cell cultures, whole-tissue explants, and animal models were used to determine the impact of glucocorticoids and selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibition upon insulin signaling and action. \ud RESULTS: Dexamethasone decreased insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, decreased IRS1 mRNA and protein expression, and increased inactivating pSer$^{307}$ insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1. 11beta-HSD1 activity and expression were observed in human and rodent myotubes and muscle explants. Activity was predominantly oxo-reductase, generating active glucocorticoid. A1 (selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitor) abolished enzyme activity and blocked the increase in pSer$^{307}$ IRS1 and reduction in total IRS1 protein after treatment with 11DHC but not corticosterone. In C57Bl6/J mice, the selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibitor, A2, decreased fasting blood glucose levels and improved insulin sensitivity. In KK mice treated with A2, skeletal muscle pSer$^{307}$ IRS1 decreased and pThr$^{308}$ Akt/PKB increased. In addition, A2 decreased both lipogenic and lipolytic gene expression.\ud CONCLUSIONS: Prereceptor facilitation of glucocorticoid action via 11beta-HSD1 increases pSer$^{307}$ IRS1 and may be crucial in mediating insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Selective 11beta-HSD1 inhibition decreases pSer$^{307}$ IRS1, increases pThr$^{308}$ Akt/PKB, and decreases lipogenic and lipolytic gene expression that may represent an important mechanism underpinning their insulin-sensitizing action

Inhibition of the classical pathway of the complement cascade prevents early dendritic and synaptic degeneration in glaucoma

BACKGROUND: Glaucoma is a complex, multifactorial disease characterised by the loss of retinal ganglion cells and their axons leading to a decrease in visual function. The earliest events that damage retinal ganglion cells in glaucoma are currently unknown. Retinal ganglion cell death appears to be compartmentalised, with soma, dendrite and axon changes potentially occurring through different mechanisms. There is mounting evidence from other neurodegenerative diseases suggesting that neuronal dendrites undergo a prolonged period of atrophy, including the pruning of synapses, prior to cell loss. In addition, recent evidence has shown the role of the complement cascade in synaptic pruning in glaucoma and other diseases. RESULTS: Using a genetic (DBA/2J mouse) and an inducible (rat microbead) model of glaucoma we first demonstrate that there is loss of retinal ganglion cell synapses and dendrites at time points that precede axon or soma loss. We next determine the role of complement component 1 (C1) in early synaptic loss and dendritic atrophy during glaucoma. Using a genetic knockout of C1qa (D2.C1qa (-/-) mouse) or pharmacological inhibition of C1 (in the rat bead model) we show that inhibition of C1 is sufficient to preserve dendritic and synaptic architecture. CONCLUSIONS: This study further supports assessing the potential for complement-modulating therapeutics for the prevention of retinal ganglion cell degeneration in glaucoma. Mol Neurodegener 2016 Apr 6; 11(2):2

Radar sounder evidence of thick, porous sediments in Meridiani Planum and implications for ice‐filled deposits on Mars

Meridiani Planum is one of the most intensely studied regions on Mars, yet little is known about the physical properties of the deposits below those examined by the Opportunity rover. We report the detection of subsurface echoes within the Meridiani Planum deposits from data obtained by the Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) instrument. The delay time between the surface and subsurface returns is indicative of materials with a real dielectric constant of 3.6 ± 0.6. The real dielectric constant is strongly modulated by bulk density. Newly derived compaction relationships for Mars indicate that the relatively low dielectric constant of the Meridiani Planum deposits is consistent with a thick layer of ice‐free, porous, basaltic sand. The unique physiographic and hydrologic setting of Meridiani Planum may have provided an ideal sediment trap for eolian sands. The relatively low gravity and the cold, dry climate that has dominated Mars for billions of years may have allowed thick eolian sand deposits to remain porous and only weakly indurated. Minimally compacted sedimentary deposits may offer a possible explanation for other nonpolar region units with low apparent bulk dielectric constants

Oleophobic composite films based on multi-layer graphitic scaffolding

A new oleophobic composite material synthesised by utilising plasma-exfoliated multi-layered graphitic (MLG) material as scaffolding is presented herein. The composite consisted of a polyelectrolyte/fluorosurfactant complex derived from polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDDA) and sodium perfluorooctanoate (PFO) and was used to prepare free-standing MLG composite films

A model for the evolution of prokaryotic DNA restriction-modification systems based upon the structural malleability of Type I restriction-modification enzymes

Restriction Modification (RM) systems prevent the invasion of foreign genetic material into bacterial cells by restriction and protect the host's genetic material by methylation. They are therefore important in maintaining the integrity of the host genome. RM systems are currently classified into four types (I to IV) on the basis of differences in composition, target recognition, cofactors and the manner in which they cleave DNA. Comparing the structures of the different types, similarities can be observed suggesting an evolutionary link between these different types. This work describes the ‘deconstruction’ of a large Type I RM enzyme into forms structurally similar to smaller Type II RM enzymes in an effort to elucidate the pathway taken by Nature to form these different RM enzymes. Based upon the ability to engineer new enzymes from the Type I ‘scaffold’, an evolutionary pathway and the evolutionary pressures required to move along the pathway from Type I RM systems to Type II RM systems are proposed. Experiments to test the evolutionary model are discussed

Science results from sixteen years of MRO SHARAD operations

In operation for >16 years to date, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) Shallow Radar (SHARAD) sounder has acquired data at its nominal 300–450 m along-track and 3-km cross-track resolution covering >55% of the Martian surface, with nearly 100% overlap in coverage at that scale in the polar regions and in a number of smaller mid-latitude areas. While SHARAD data have opened a new window into understanding the interior structures and properties of Martian ices, volcanics, and sedimentary deposits up to a few kilometers in depth, they have also led to new revelations about the deeper interior and the behavior of the planet’s ionosphere. Here we summarize the data collected by SHARAD over this time period, the methods used in the analysis of that data, and the resulting scientific findings. The polar data are especially rich, revealing complex structures that comprise up to several dozen reflecting interfaces that extend to depths of 3 km, which inform the evolution of Martian climate in the late Amazonian period. SHARAD observations of mid-latitude lobate debris aprons and other glacier-like landforms detect strong basal reflections and low dielectric loss, confirming that they are icerich debris-covered glaciers. In other mid-latitude terrains, SHARAD data demonstrate the presence of widespread ground ices, likely at lower concentrations. SHARAD signals also probe non-icy materials, mapping out stacked lava flows, probing low-density materials thought to be ash-fall deposits, and occasionally penetrating sedimentary deposits, all of which reveal the structures and interior properties diagnostic of emplacement processes. SHARAD signals are impacted by their passage through the Martian ionosphere, revealing variations in time and space of the total electron content linked with the remanent magnetic field. Advanced techniques developed over the course of the mission, which include subband and super-resolution processing, coherent and incoherent summing, and three-dimensional (3D) radar imaging, are enabling new discoveries and extending the utility of the data. For 3D imaging, a cross-track spacing at the nominal 3-km resolution is more than sufficient to achieve good results, but finer spacing of 0.5 km or less significantly improves the spatially interpolated radar images. Recent electromagnetic modeling and a flight test show that SHARAD’s signal-to-noise ratio can be greatly improved with a large (~120◦) roll of the spacecraft to reduce interference with the spacecraft body. Both MRO and SHARAD are in remarkably fine working order, and the teams look forward to many more years in which to pursue improvements in coverage density, temporal variability in the ionosphere, and data quality that promise exciting new discoveries at Mars

A Modified Method for Whole Exome Resequencing from Minimal Amounts of Starting DNA

Next generation DNA sequencing (NGS) technologies have revolutionized the pace at which whole genome and exome sequences can be generated. However, despite these advances, many of the methods for targeted resequencing, such as the generation of high-depth exome sequences, are somewhat limited by the relatively large amounts of starting DNA that are normally required. In the case of tumour analysis this is particularly pertinent as many tumour biopsies often return submicrogram quantities of DNA, especially when tumours are microdissected prior to analysis. Here, we present a method for exome capture and resequencing using as little as 50 ng of starting DNA. The sequencing libraries generated by this minimal starting amount (MSA-Cap) method generate datasets that are comparable to standard amount (SA) whole exome libraries that use three micrograms of starting DNA. This method, which can be performed in most laboratories using commonly available reagents, has the potential to enhance large scale profiling efforts such as the resequencing of tumour exomes

Insights into high-risk multiple myeloma from an analysis of the role of PHF19 in cancer

Despite improvements in outcome, 15-25% of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients have treatment resistant high-risk (HR) disease with a poor survival. The lack of a genetic basis for HR has focused attention on the role played by epigenetic changes. Aberrant expression and somatic mutations affecting genes involved in the regulation of tri-methylation of the lysine (K) 27 on histone 3 H3 (H3K27me3) are common in cancer. H3K27me3 is catalyzed by EZH2, the catalytic subunit of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2). The deregulation of H3K27me3 has been shown to be involved in oncogenic transformation and tumor progression in a variety of hematological malignancies including MM. Recently we have shown that aberrant overexpression of the PRC2 subunit PHD Finger Protein 19 (PHF19) is the most significant overall contributor to HR status further focusing attention on the role played by epigenetic change in MM. By modulating both the PRC2/EZH2 catalytic activity and recruitment, PHF19 regulates the expression of key genes involved in cell growth and differentiation. Here we review the expression, regulation and function of PHF19 both in normal and the pathological contexts of solid cancers and MM. We present evidence that strongly implicates PHF19 in the regulation of genes important in cell cycle and the genetic stability of MM cells making it highly relevant to HR MM behavior. A detailed understanding of the normal and pathological functions of PHF19 will allow us to design therapeutic strategies able to target aggressive subsets of MM