Fetal heart rate responses in chronic hypoxaemia with superimposed repeated hypoxaemia consistent with early labour: a controlled study in fetal sheep

Objective: Deceleration area (DA) and capacity (DC) of the fetal heart rate can help predict risk of intrapartum fetal compromise. However, their predictive value in higher risk pregnancies is unclear. We investigated whether they can predict the onset of hypotension during brief hypoxaemia repeated at a rate consistent with early labour in fetal sheep with pre-existing hypoxaemia. Design: Prospective, controlled study. Setting: Laboratory. Sample: Chronically instrumented, unanaesthetised near-term fetal sheep. Methods: One-minute complete umbilical cord occlusions (UCOs) were performed every 5 minutes in fetal sheep with baseline paO2 17 mmHg (normoxic, n = 11) for 4 hours or until arterial pressure fell <20 mmHg. Main outcome measures: DA, DC and arterial pressure. Results: Normoxic fetuses showed effective cardiovascular adaptation without hypotension and mild acidaemia (lowest arterial pressure 40.7 ± 2.8 mmHg, pH 7.35 ± 0.03). Hypoxaemic fetuses developed hypotension (lowest arterial pressure 20.8 ± 1.9 mmHg, P P = 0.04) and final (P = 0.012) 20 minutes of UCOs. DA was not different between groups. Conclusion: Chronically hypoxaemic fetuses had early onset of cardiovascular compromise during labour-like brief repeated UCOs. DA was unable to identify developing hypotension in this setting, while DC only showed modest differences between groups. These findings highlight that DA and DC thresholds need to be adjusted for antenatal risk factors, potentially limiting their clinical utility

Membrane transporters studied by EPR spectroscopy: structure determination and elucidation of functional dynamics

During their mechanistic cycles membrane transporters often undergo extensive conformational changes, sampling a range of orientations, in order to complete their function. Such membrane transporters present somewhat of a challenge to conventional structural studies; indeed, crystallization of membrane-associated proteins sometimes require conditions that vary vastly from their native environments. Moreover, this technique currently only allows for visualization of single selected conformations during any one experiment. EPR spectroscopy is a magnetic resonance technique that offers a unique opportunity to study structural, environmental and dynamic properties of such proteins in their native membrane environments, as well as readily sampling their substrate-binding-induced dynamic conformational changes especially through complementary computational analyses. Here we present a review of recent studies that utilize a variety of EPR techniques in order to investigate both the structure and dynamics of a range of membrane transporters and associated proteins, focusing on both primary (ABC-type transporters) and secondary active transporters which were key interest areas of the late Professor Stephen Baldwin to whom this review is dedicated

The state of play in European coaching & mentoring

This report provides an overview of the main findings from the 2017 European Coaching and Mentoring Research Project, undertaken by Jonathan Passmore and Hazel Brown, in partnership with the EMCC and the wider European coaching and mentoring industry. The study was planned in 2016 and undertaken during a 12-week period, between March and May 2017. This is one of a number reports published. This Executive Report is available free of charge, along with a National Report in countries that achieved over 50 coach or mentor participants. Each National Report is published in the language chosen by of the respective national coaching community. The aim of these national reports is to deepen understanding of coaching and mentoring and to widen engagement with coaching and mentoring.peer-reviewe

Molecular analyses reveal high cryptic diversity of trematodes in a sub-Arctic lake

To identify trematode diversity and life-cycles in the sub-Arctic Lake Takvatn, Norway, we characterised 120 trematode isolates from mollusc first intermediate hosts, metacercariae from second intermediate host fishes and invertebrates, and adults from fish and invertebrate definitive hosts, using molecular techniques. Phylogenies based on nuclear and/or mtDNA revealed high species richness (24 species or species-level genetic lineages) and uncovered trematode diversity (16 putative new species) from five families typical in lake ecosystems (Allocreadiidae, Diplostomidae, Plagiorchiidae, Schistosomatidae and Strigeidae). Sampling potential invertebrate hosts allowed matching of sequence data for different stages, thus achieving molecular elucidation of trematode life-cycles and exploration of host-parasite interactions. Phylogenetic analyses also helped identify three major mollusc intermediate hosts (Radix balthica, Pisidium casertanum and Sphaerium sp.) in the lake. Our findings increase the known trematode diversity at the sub-Arctic Lake Takvatn, showing that digenean diversity is high in this otherwise depauperate sub-Arctic freshwater ecosystem and indicating that sub-Arctic and Arctic ecosystems may be characterised by unique trematode assemblages

Strengths and weaknesses of the FAIRMODE benchmarking methodology for the evaluation of air quality models

The Forum of Air Quality Modelling in Europe (FAIRMODE) was launched in 2007 to bring together air quality modellers and users in order to promote and support the harmonised use of models by EU Member States, with emphasis on model application under the European Air Quality Directive. In this context, a methodology for evaluating air quality model applications has been developed. This paper presents an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the FAIRMODE benchmarking approach, based on users’ feedback. European wide, regional and urban scale model applications, developed by different research groups over Europe, have been taken into account. The analysis is focused on the main pollutants under the Air Quality Directive, namely PM10, NO2 and O3. The different case studies are described and analysed with respect to the methodologies applied for model evaluation and quality assurance. This model evaluation intercomparison demonstrates the potential of a harmonised evaluation and benchmarking methodology. A SWOT analysis of the FAIRMODE benchmarking approach is performed based on feedback from users of the tool. This analysis helps to identify the main advantages and value of this model evaluation benchmarking approach compared with other methodologies, in addition to highlighting requirements for future development.JRC.C.5-Air and Climat