High resolution satellite observations give new view of UK air quality

New state‐of‐the‐art satellite measurements of tropospheric column NO2 from the TROPOMI instrument on‐board Sentinel‐5 Precursor (S5P), launched in October 2017, allow for an unprecedented high resolution (sub‐10km) assessment of UK air quality (AQ) from space. We present the first results from TROPOMI and compare them with its predecessor, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), to quantify previously unresolved UK pollution hotspots (e.g. Bristol, Southampton and Liverpool). The TROPOMI tropospheric column NO2 data represents a powerful new tool to quantify UK AQ, evaluate atmospheric composition models and potentially derive new emission inventories from space

High resolution satellite observations give new view of UK air quality

New state‐of‐the‐art satellite measurements of tropospheric column NO2 from the TROPOMI instrument on‐board Sentinel‐5 Precursor (S5P), launched in October 2017, allow for an unprecedented high resolution (sub‐10km) assessment of UK air quality (AQ) from space. We present the first results from TROPOMI and compare them with its predecessor, the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI), to quantify previously unresolved UK pollution hotspots (e.g. Bristol, Southampton and Liverpool). The TROPOMI tropospheric column NO2 data represents a powerful new tool to quantify UK AQ, evaluate atmospheric composition models and potentially derive new emission inventories from space

Training Load and Carbohydrate Periodization Practices of Elite Male Australian Football Players: Evidence of Fueling for the Work Required.

The authors aimed to quantify (a) the periodization of physical loading and daily carbohydrate (CHO) intake across an in-season weekly microcycle of Australian Football and (b) the quantity and source of CHO consumed during game play and training. Physical loading (via global positioning system technology) and daily CHO intake (via a combination of 24-hr recall, food diaries, and remote food photographic method) were assessed in 42 professional male players during two weekly microcycles comprising a home and away fixture. The players also reported the source and quantity of CHO consumed during all games (n = 22 games) and on the training session completed 4 days before each game (n = 22 sessions). The total distance was greater (p < .05) on game day (GD; 13 km) versus all training days. The total distance differed between training days, where GD-2 (8 km) was higher than GD-1, GD-3, and GD-4 (3.5, 0, and 7 km, respectively). The daily CHO intake was also different between training days, with reported intakes of 1.8, 1.4, 2.5, and 4.5 g/kg body mass on GD-4, GD-3, GD-2, and GD-1, respectively. The CHO intake was greater (p < .05) during games (59 ± 19 g) compared with training (1 ± 1 g), where in the former, 75% of the CHO consumed was from fluids as opposed to gels. Although the data suggest that Australian Football players practice elements of CHO periodization, the low absolute CHO intakes likely represent considerable underreporting in this population. Even when accounting for potential underreporting, the data also suggest Australian Football players underconsume CHO in relation to the physical demands of training and competition

Effects of estradiol and FSH on maturation of the testis in the hypogonadal (hpg) mouse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The hypogonadal (hpg) mouse is widely used as an animal model with which to investigate the endocrine regulation of spermatogenesis. Chronic treatment of these GnRH-deficient mice with estradiol is known to induce testicular maturation and restore qualitatively normal spermatogenesis. The aim of the current studies was to investigate whether these effects of estradiol are direct effects in the testis, or indirect actions via paradoxical stimulation of FSH secretion from the pituitary gland.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Initially, Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to analyse tissues from hpg mice to identify potential sites of action of estradiol. In the main study, hpg mice were treated for 50 days with either an estradiol implant or daily injections of recombinant human FSH, or a combination of both, to determine whether estradiol would have an additive or synergistic effect with FSH on testis development, as assessed by histological analysis and stereological quantification of Leydig, Sertoli and germ cell proliferation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Western blot analysis revealed ERα immunoreactive bands of appropriate molecular weight in extracts of testis and pituitary glands from hpg mice, and immunohistochemical studies confirmed ERα in nuclei of anterior pituitary cells and Leydig and peritubular cells in hpg mice. Histological and morphometric analyses revealed that estradiol treatment alone was as effective as FSH in promoting Sertoli cell production and proliferation of the seminiferous epithelium, resulting in the production of elongating spermatids. Combined estradiol and FSH treatment did not produce a greater effect than either treatment alone, though an increased dose of FSH significantly increased seminiferous tubule volume and testis weight and increase Sertoli cell numbers further within the same time frame. In contrast, estradiol caused substantial increases in the wet weight of the seminal vesicles, whereas FSH was without effect on this tissue, and did not augment the actions of estradiol.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>As ERalpha receptor is abundantly expressed in the pituitary gland of hpg mice, and estradiol did not exert effects on testis development over and above those of FSH, we conclude that the action of estradiol on testis development in <it>hpg </it>mice is predominantly via the stimulation of pituitary FSH release.</p

Abstract basins of attraction

Abstract basins appear naturally in different areas of several complex variables. In this survey we want to describe three different topics in which they play an important role, leading to interesting open problems

Placental endoplasmic reticulum stress in gestational diabetes: the potential for therapeutic intervention with chemical chaperones and antioxidants.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The aim of this work was to determine whether placental endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress may contribute to the pathophysiology of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and to test the efficacy of chemical chaperones and antioxidant vitamins in ameliorating that stress in a trophoblast-like cell line in vitro. METHODS: Placental samples were obtained from women suffering from GDM and from normoglycaemic controls and were frozen immediately. Women with GDM had 2 h serum glucose levels > 9.0 mmol/l following a 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and were treated with diet and insulin when necessary. Western blotting was used to assess markers of ER stress. To test the effects of hyperglycaemia on the generation of ER stress, a new trophoblast-like cell line, BeWo-NG, was generated by culturing in a physiological glucose concentration of 5.5 mmol/l (over 20 passages) before challenging with 10 or 20 mmol/l glucose. RESULTS: All GDM patients were well-controlled (HbA1c 5.86 ± 0.55% or 40.64 ± 5.85 mmol/mol, n = 11). Low-grade ER stress was observed in the placental samples, with dilation of ER cisternae and increased phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit α. Challenge of BeWo-NG with high glucose activated the same pathways, but this was as a result of acidosis of the culture medium rather than the glucose concentration per se. Addition of chemical chaperones 4-phenylbutyrate and tauroursodeoxycholic acid and vitamins C and E ameliorated the ER stress. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This is the first report of placental ER stress in GDM patients. Chemical chaperones and antioxidant vitamins represent potential therapeutic interventions for GDM.This study was supported by a grant from the Wellcome Trust (084804/2/08/Z). TE-B was supported by a Newton Advanced Fellowship awarded to TE-B and GJB from the Academy of Medical Sciences, and by the Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00125-016-4040-