Addiction in Extreme Sports: An Exploration of Withdrawal States in Rock Climbers

Background and aims Extreme sports athletes are often labeled “adrenaline junkies” by the media, implying they are addicted to their sport. Research suggests during abstinence these athletes may experience withdrawal states characteristic of individuals with an addiction (Celsi, Rose, & Leigh, 1993; Franken, Zijlstra, & Muris, 2006; Willig, 2008). Despite this notion, no research has directly explored withdrawal experiences of extreme sports athletes. Methods Using semi-structured interviews, we explored withdrawal experiences of high (n = 4) and average-ability (n = 4) male rock climbers during periods of abstinence. We investigated the psychological and behavioral aspects of withdrawal, including craving, anhedonia, and negative affect; and differences in the frequency and intensity of these states between groups. Results Deductive content analysis indicated support for each of the three categories of anhedonia, craving, and negative affect. Consistent with existing substance addiction literature, high-ability climbers recalled more frequent and intense craving states and negative affect during abstinence compared with average-ability climbers. No differences in anhedonic symptoms between high and average-ability participants were found. Conclusions Rock climbing athletes appear to experience withdrawal symptoms when abstinent from their sport comparable to individuals with substance and behavioral addictions. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed

Introduction and spread of non-native parasites with Silurus glanis L. (Teleostei: Siluridae) in UK fisheries

Despite growing concern of the ecological risks posed by the European catfish Siluris glanis L. in freshwater fisheries, little information exists on the parasite fauna of this silurid catfish in Britain. Parasitological examinations of released S. glanis from four still-water fisheries in England revealed the presence of Thaparocleidus vistulensis (Siwak, 1932) and Ergasilus sieboldi (Nordmann, 1832), both non-native parasites, the latter known to be an important fish pathogen. This represents the first record of T. vistulensis from British freshwater fish. The human-assisted movement of S. glanis between UK recreational still-water fisheries provides a clear avenue for the introduction and spread of non-native parasites

Titanates of the lindsleyite–mathiasite (LIMA) group reveal isotope disequilibrium associated with metasomatism in the mantle beneath Kimberley (South Africa)

Radiogenic isotope variations unrelated to radiogenic ingrowth are common between minerals found in metasomatised mantle xenoliths entrained in kimberlite, basalts and related magmas. As the metasomatic minerals are assumed to have been in isotopic equilibrium originally, such variations are typically attributed to contamination by the magma host and/or interaction with mantle fluids during or before xenolith transport to surface. However, the increasing evidence of metasomatism by multiple, compositionally distinct fluids permeating the lithospheric mantle, coeval with specific magmatic events, suggests that isotopic disequilibrium might be a consequence of discrete, though complex, metasomatic events. Here we provide clear evidence of elemental and Sr isotope heterogeneity between coeval Ti-rich LIMA (lindsleyite–mathiasite) minerals at the time of their formation in the mantle. LIMA minerals occur in close textural association with clinopyroxene and phlogopite in low-temperature (∼800–900 °C), strongly metasomatised mantle xenoliths from the ∼84 Ma Bultfontein kimberlite (South Africa). Previous U/Pb dating of the LIMA phases was used to argue that each xenolith recorded a single event of LIMA crystallisation at ∼180–190 Ma, coeval with the emplacement of Karoo magmas. SEM imaging reveals that up to four types of LIMA phases coexist in each xenolith, and occasionally in a single LIMA grain. Major element and in situ Sr isotope analyses of the different LIMA types show that each phase has a distinct elemental composition and initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio (e.g., 0.7068–0.7086 and 0.7115–0.7129 for two LIMA types in a single xenolith; 0.7053-0.7131 across the entire sample suite). These combined age and isotopic constraints require that multiple fluids metasomatised these rocks at broadly the same time (i.e. within a few thousands to millions of years), and produced similar mineralogical features. Elemental and isotopic variations between different LIMA types could be due to interaction between one (or more) Karoo-related Ti-rich silicate melts and previously metasomatised, phlogopite-rich lithospheric mantle. This study demonstrates that mantle metasomatic assemblages seemingly generated in a single event may instead result from the infiltration of broadly coeval fluids with variable compositions. This in turn implies that the isotopic variations recorded in mantle rocks may be an inherent feature of metasomatism, and that hot fluids infiltrating a rock do not necessarily cause equilibration at the cm scale, as has been assumed previously. Simple modelling of solid-state diffusion in mantle minerals shows that isotopic disequilibrium may be preserved for up to hundreds of Myr at mantle lithosphere temperatures (≤1100–1200 °C), unless subsequently affected by transient heating and/or fluid infiltration events. Radiogenic isotope disequilibrium associated with mantle metasomatism may therefore be a common feature of mantle xenoliths

Preclinical Evaluation of AZ12601011 and AZ12799734, Inhibitors of Transforming Growth Factor β Superfamily Type 1 Receptors.

The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily includes TGFβ, activins, inhibins, and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). These extracellular ligands have essential roles in normal tissue homeostasis by coordinately regulating cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Aberrant signaling of superfamily members, however, is associated with fibrosis as well as tumorigenesis, cancer progression, metastasis, and drug-resistance mechanisms in a variety of cancer subtypes. Given their involvement in human disease, the identification of novel selective inhibitors of TGFβ superfamily receptors is an attractive therapeutic approach. Seven mammalian type 1 receptors have been identified that have context-specific roles depending on the ligand and the complex formation with the type 2 receptor. Here, we characterize the biologic effects of two transforming growth factor β receptor 1 (TGFBR1) kinase inhibitors designed to target TGFβ signaling. AZ12601011 [2-(2-pyridinyl)-4-(1H-pyrrolo[3,2-c]pyridin-1-yl)-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[d]pyrimidine]; structure previously undisclosed] and AZ12799734 [4-({4-[(2,6-dimethyl-3-pyridinyl)oxy]-2-pyridinyl}amino)benzenesulfonamide] (IC50 = 18 and 47 nM, respectively) were more effective inhibitors of TGFβ-induced reporter activity than SB-431542 [4-[4-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-5-(2-pyridinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl]benzamide] (IC50 = 84 nM) and LY2157299 [4-[2-(6-methylpyridin-2-yl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazol-3-yl]quinoline-6-carboxamide monohydrate]] (galunisertib) (IC50 = 380 nM). AZ12601011 inhibited phosphorylation of SMAD2 via the type 1 receptors activin A receptor type 1B (ALK4), TGFBR1, and activin A receptor type 1C (ALK7). AZ12799734, however, is a pan TGF/BMP inhibitor, inhibiting receptor-mediated phosphorylation of SMAD1 by activin A receptor type 1L, bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1A, and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 1B and phosphorylation of SMAD2 by ALK4, TGFBR1, and ALK7. AZ12601011 was highly effective at inhibiting basal and TGFβ-induced migration of HaCaT keratinocytes and, furthermore, inhibited tumor growth and metastasis to the lungs in a 4T1 syngeneic orthotopic mammary tumor model. These inhibitors provide new reagents for investigating in vitro and in vivo pathogenic processes and the contribution of TGFβ- and BMP-regulated signaling pathways to disease states

Equality in cleft and craniofacial care

This review examines the issue of equality of care amongst those with cleft lip and/or palate in the European Union (EU) and beyond. Issues of equality both between and within national populations are considered, and it is argued that those from countries with smaller healthcare expenditure and who are from marginalised groups are at the greatest risk of, and affected most severely by, healthcare inequalities. The socioeconomic impact of inequality is also discussed. Having reviewed these topics, the goals and activities of the European Cleft and Craniofacial Initiative for Equality in Care Action, formed pursuant to an award from the EU’s European Cooperation in Science and Technology, are introduced. Constituted of an open network of clinicians and researchers committed to exploring and reducing such inequalities, the ongoing Action is formed of multiple working groups examining these issues within the EU and has organised training schools, conferences and short-term scientific missions concerned with these issues. These activities are discussed along with the future directions of the Action, the impact it has had to date and the benefits of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology award

Thermal Behaviour of Synovene and Oleamide in Oil Adsorbed on Steel

Abstract: Oleamide and Synovene lubricant additives when mixed together show a clear co-operative effect leading to friction and wear reduction. Sum Frequency Generation vibrational spectroscopy has been used to record in situ spectra of these additives with the aim of understanding the behaviour of these molecules when adsorbed on steel immersed in a model base oil at pre-selected temperatures. The spectra of the individual components and of mixtures have been recorded up to 130 °C. Individual spectra from both molecules have been distinguished using per-deuterated oleamide. The temperature at which maximum ordered adsorption of pure Synovene molecules occurs drops from ~ 130 to ~ 70 °C in the mixture with oleamide. Our results show that co-adsorption occurs, which causes a change in net polar orientation of the oleamide component suggesting the hydrocarbon chains of the oleamide molecules reverse their polar orientation when Synovene is present. The net effect of co-adsorption and change in orientation as well as conformation of the two molecules could explain the reduction of friction and wear observed at the metal–metal interface

The peatland vegetation burning debate: keep scientific critique in perspective. A response to Brownet al. and Douglaset al.

Invited reply

The role of fire in UK peatland and moorland management: the need for informed, unbiased debate

Fire has been used for centuries to generate and manage some of the UK's cultural landscapes. Despite its complex role in the ecology of UK peatlands and moorlands, there has been a trend of simplifying the narrative around burning to present it as an only ecologically damaging practice. That fire modifies peatland characteristics at a range of scales is clearly understood. Whether these changes are perceived as positive or negative depends upon how trade-offs are made between ecosystem services and the spatial and temporal scales of concern. Here we explore the complex interactions and trade-offs in peatland fire management, evaluating the benefits and costs of managed fire as they are currently understood. We highlight the need for (i) distinguishing between the impacts of fires occurring with differing severity and frequency, and (ii) improved characterization of ecosystem health that incorporates the response and recovery of peatlands to fire. We also explore how recent research has been contextualized within both scientific publications and the wider media and how this can influence non-specialist perceptions. We emphasize the need for an informed, unbiased debate on fire as an ecological management tool that is separated from other aspects of moorland management and from political and economic opinions

Intra-Grain Sr Isotope Evidence for Crystal Recycling and Multiple Magma Reservoirs in the Recent Activity of Stromboli Volcano, Southern Italy

Over the last several hundred years, Stromboli has been characterized by steady-state Strombolian activity. The volcanic products are dominated by degassed and highly porphyritic (HP-magma) black scoria bombs, lapilli and lava flows of basaltic shoshonitic composition. Periodically (about one to three events per year), more energetic explosive eruptions also eject light coloured volatile-rich pumices with low phenocryst content (LP-magma) that have more mafic compositions than the HP-magma. An in situ major and trace element and Sr isotope microanalysis study is presented on four samples chosen to characterize the different modes of activity at Stromboli: a lava flow (1985-1986 effusive event), a scoria bomb from the 'normal' present-day activity of Stromboli (April 1984), and a scoria and coeval pumice sample from a recent more explosive eruption (September 1996). Plagioclase (A

Dopaminergic Genetic Variants and Voluntary Externally Paced Exercise Behavior

PURPOSE: Most candidate gene studies on the neurobiology of voluntary exercise behavior have focused on the dopaminergic signaling pathway and its role in the mesolimbic reward system. We hypothesized that dopaminergic candidate genes may influence exercise behavior through additional effects on executive functioning and that these effects are only detected when the types of exercise activity are taken into account. METHODS: Data on voluntary exercise behavior and at least one SNP/VNTR were available for 12,929 participants of the Netherlands Twin Registry. Exercise activity was classified as externally paced if a high level of executive function skill was required. The total volume of voluntary exercise (minutes per week) as well as the volume specifically spent on externally paced activities were tested for association with nine functional dopaminergic polymorphisms (DRD1: rs265981, DRD2/ANKK1: rs1800497, DRD3: rs6280, DRD4: VNTR 48bp, DRD5: VNTR 130-166bp, DBH: rs2519152, DAT1: VNTR 40bp, COMT: rs4680, MAOA: VNTR 30bp), a polygenic score (PGS) based on nine alleles leading to lower dopamine responsiveness, and a PGS based on three alleles associated with both higher reward sensitivity and better executive functioning (DRD2/ANKK1: 'G' allele, COMT: Met allele, DAT1: 440bp allele). RESULTS: No association with total exercise volume or externally paced exercise volume was found for individual alleles or the nine-allele polygenic score. The volume of externally paced exercise behavior was significantly associated with the reward and executive function congruent PGS. This association was driven by the DAT1 440bp and COMT Met allele which acted as increaser alleles for externally paced exercise behavior. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the types of exercise activity may increase the success of identifying genetic variants and unraveling the neurobiology of voluntary exercise behavior. Key words: candidate gene, exercise behavior, reward sensitivity, executive functioning