25 research outputs found
Recovery-Stress Response of Blood-Based Biomarkers
The purpose of this study was to investigate blood-based biomarkers and their regulation
with regard to different recovery-stress states. A total of 35 male elite athletes (13 badminton,
22 soccer players) were recruited, and two venous blood samples were taken: one in a ârecoveredâ
state (REC) after a minimum of one-day rest from exercise and another one in a ânon-recoveredâ
state (NOR) after a habitual loading microcycle. Overall, 23 blood-based biomarkers of different
physiologic domains, which address inflammation, muscle damage, and tissue repair, were analyzed
by Luminex assays. Across all athletes, only creatine kinase (CK), interleukin (IL-) 6, and IL-17A
showed higher concentrations at NOR compared to REC time points. In badminton players, higher
levels of CK and IL-17A at NOR were found. In contrast, a higher value for S100 calcium-binding
protein A8 (S100A8) at REC was found in badminton players. Similar differences were found
for BDNF in soccer players. Soccer players also showed increased levels of CK, and IL-6 at NOR
compared to REC state. Several molecular markers were shown to be responsive to differing recoverystress states, but their suitability as biomarkers in training must be further validated
Astro2020 Science White Paper: The Local Relics of of Supermassive Black Hole Seeds
We have compelling evidence for stellar-mass black holes (BHs) of ~5-80 M_sun
that form through the death of massive stars. We also have compelling evidence
for so-called supermassive BHs (10^5-10^10 M_sun) that are predominantly found
in the centers of galaxies. We have very good reason to believe there must be
BHs with masses in the gap between these ranges: the first ~10^9 M_sun BHs are
observed only hundreds of millions of years after the Big Bang, and all
theoretically viable paths to making supermassive BHs require a stage of
"intermediate" mass. However, no BHs have yet been reliably detected in the
100-10}^5 M_sun mass range. Uncovering these intermediate-mass BHs of 10^3-10^5
M_sun is within reach in the coming decade. In this white paper we highlight
the crucial role that 30-m class telescopes will play in dynamically detecting
intermediate-mass black holes, should they exist.Comment: Science White Paper Submitted for the Astro2020 Decadal Survey on
Astronomy and Astrophysic
Abdominal obesityârelated disturbance of insulin sensitivity is associated with cd8+ emra cells in the elderly
Aging and overweight increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this crossâsectional study, we aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of TâEMRA cells and inflammatory markers in the development of a decreased insulin sensitivity. A total of 134 healthy older volunteers were recruited (age 59.2 (SD 5.6) years). T cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, body composition, HOMAâIR, plasma tryptophan (Trp) metabolites, as well as cytokines and adipokines were determined. Using subgroup and covariance analyses, the influence of BMI on the parameters was evaluated. Moreover, correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analyses were performed. In the subgroup of participants with obesity, an increased proportion of CD8+EMRA cells and elevated concentrations of plasma kynurenine (KYN) were found compared to the lowerâweight subgroups. Linear regression analysis revealed that an elevated HOMAâIR could be predicted by a higher proportion of CD8+EMRA cells and KYN levels. A mediation analysis showed a robust indirect effect of the Waistâtoâhip ratio on HOMAâIR mediated by CD8+EMRA cells. Thus, the deleterious effects of abdominal obesity on glucose metabolism might be mediated by CD8+EMRA cells in the elderly. Longitudinal studies should validate this assumption and analyze the suitability of CD8+EMRA cells as early predictors of incipient prediabetes. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Harnessing the NEON data revolution to advance open environmental science with a diverse and data-capable community
It is a critical time to reflect on the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) science to date as well as envision what research can be done right now with NEON (and other) data and what training is needed to enable a diverse user community. NEON became fully operational in May 2019 and has pivoted from planning and construction to operation and maintenance. In this overview, the history of and foundational thinking around NEON are discussed. A framework of open science is described with a discussion of how NEON can be situated as part of a larger data constellationâacross existing networks and different suites of ecological measurements and sensors. Next, a synthesis of early NEON science, based on >100 existing publications, funded proposal efforts, and emergent science at the very first NEON Science Summit (hosted by Earth Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder in October 2019) is provided. Key questions that the ecology community will address with NEON data in the next 10 yr are outlined, from understanding drivers of biodiversity across spatial and temporal scales to defining complex feedback mechanisms in humanâenvironmental systems. Last, the essential elements needed to engage and support a diverse and inclusive NEON user community are highlighted: training resources and tools that are openly available, funding for broad community engagement initiatives, and a mechanism to share and advertise those opportunities. NEON users require both the skills to work with NEON data and the ecological or environmental science domain knowledge to understand and interpret them. This paper synthesizes early directions in the communityâs use of NEON data, and opportunities for the next 10 yr of NEON operations in emergent science themes, open science best practices, education and training, and community building
AKZEPTANZ UND BEDEUTUNG DER KENNZEICHNUNG REGIONALEN SCHWEINEFLEISCHES FĂR VERBRAUCHER IN DEN DACH-STAATEN
Regionale Herkunft von Lebensmitteln nimmt bei Verbrauchern einen immer gröĂeren Stellenwert ein. Aus diesem Grund werden Labels eingefĂŒhrt, die eine regionale Herkunft kenntlich machen - auch bei Schweinefleisch. Die Form und Akzeptanz dieser Kennzeichnungen unterscheiden sich in den DACH-Staaten. Ziel der Untersuchung ist es aufzuzeigen, was Deutschland hinsichtlich Kennzeichnung und Vermarktung von regionalem Schweinefleisch aus den Nachbarstaaten lernen kann. Methodisch basiert die Verbraucherstudie auf einer standardisierten Online-Befragung im Jahr 2015 in Deutschland, Ăsterreich und der Schweiz. Grundlage hierzu ist eine eingehende Analyse von 19 staatlichen und privaten Labeln
Effects of ketamine, s-ketamine, and MK 801 on proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis in pancreatic cancer cells
Background
Adenocarcinoma of the pancreas is one of the most aggressive cancer diseases affecting the human body. The oncogenic potential of this type of cancer is mainly characterized by its extreme growth rate triggered by the activation of signaling cascades. Modern oncological treatment strategies aim at efficiently modulating specific signaling and transcriptional pathways. Recently, anti-tumoral potential has been proven for several substances that are not primarily used in cancer treatment. In some tumor entities, for example, administration of glutamate antagonists inhibits cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and finally cell death.
To attain endogenic proof of NMDA receptor type expression in the pancreatic cancer cell lines PaTu8988t and Panc-1 and to investigate the impact of ketamine, s-ketamine, and the NMDA receptor antagonist MK 801 on proliferation, apoptosis, and necrosis in pancreatic carcinoma.
Methods
Cell proliferation was measured by means of the ELISA BrdU assay, and the apoptosis rate was analyzed by annexin V staining. Immunoblotting were also used.
Results
The NMDA receptor type R2a was expressed in both pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Furthermore, ketamine, s-ketamine, and MK 801 significantly inhibited proliferation and apoptosis.
Conclusions
In this study, we showed the expression of the NMDA receptor type R2a in pancreatic cancer cells. The NMDA antagonists ketamine, s-ketamine, and MK 801 inhibited cell proliferation and cell death. Further clinical studies are warranted to identify the impact of these agents on the treatment of cancer patients
The Impact of Exercise Serum on Selected Parameters of CD4+ T Cell Metabolism
CD4+ T cells are sensitive to peripheral changes of cytokine levels and metabolic substrates such as glucose and lactate. This study aimed to analyze whether factors released after exercise alter parameters of human T cell metabolism, specifically glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation. We used primary human CD4+ T cells activated in the presence of autologous serum, which was collected before (CO) and after a 30-min exercise intervention (EX). In the course of activation, cells and supernatants were analyzed for cell viability and diameter, real-time oxygen consumption by using PreSens Technology, mRNA expression of glycolytic enzymes and complexes of the electron transport chain by real-time PCR, glucose, and lactate levels in supernatants, and in vitro differentiation by flow cytometry. EX did not alter T cell phenotype, viability, or on-blast formation. Similarly, no difference between CO and EX were found for CD4+ T cell activation and cellular oxygen consumption. In contrast, higher levels of glucose were found after 48 h activation in EX conditions. T cells activated in autologous exercise serum expressed lower HK1 mRNA and higher IFN-Îł receptor 1. We suggest that the exercise protocol used was not sufficient to destabilize the immune metabolism of T cells. Therefore, more intense and prolonged exercise should be used in future studies
Abdominal Obesity-Related Disturbance of Insulin Sensitivity Is Associated with CD8+ EMRA Cells in the Elderly
Aging and overweight increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this cross-sectional study, we aimed to investigate the potential mediating role of T-EMRA cells and inflammatory markers in the development of a decreased insulin sensitivity. A total of 134 healthy older volunteers were recruited (age 59.2 (SD 5.6) years). T cell subpopulations were analyzed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, body composition, HOMA-IR, plasma tryptophan (Trp) metabolites, as well as cytokines and adipokines were determined. Using subgroup and covariance analyses, the influence of BMI on the parameters was evaluated. Moreover, correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analyses were performed. In the subgroup of participants with obesity, an increased proportion of CD8+EMRA cells and elevated concentrations of plasma kynurenine (KYN) were found compared to the lower-weight subgroups. Linear regression analysis revealed that an elevated HOMA-IR could be predicted by a higher proportion of CD8+EMRA cells and KYN levels. A mediation analysis showed a robust indirect effect of the Waist-to-hip ratio on HOMA-IR mediated by CD8+EMRA cells. Thus, the deleterious effects of abdominal obesity on glucose metabolism might be mediated by CD8+EMRA cells in the elderly. Longitudinal studies should validate this assumption and analyze the suitability of CD8+EMRA cells as early predictors of incipient prediabetes