Personality traits among recruit firefighters predicts fitness

Introduction: Personality traits have been associated with physical fitness. Additionally, tolerance of exercise intensity has been related to exercise behavior. However, less is understood about these traits in firefighters (FFs), and how they impact FF fitness. Purpose: Examine how personality traits influence fitness (aerobic, muscular) among recruit FFs. Methods: Recruit FFs (N=435 males, 26.42± 4.07yrs) in a 6-week FF training academy completed a 1.5 mile run, bench press test, and individual difference measures (personality [Extraversion (E), Emotional Stability (ES), Agreeableness (A), Conscientiousness (C), Openness (O)], Tolerance for Exercise Intensity (Tol), and perceived fitness (PF)). Results: C was associated with aerobic fitness (r= 0.19, P= 0.028), but not muscular endurance or PF (P> 0.05). However, PF was significantly (P< 0.001) correlated with aerobic fitness (r= -0.42) and muscular (r= -0.24) endurance. Hierarchical regression showed both PF [R2adj = 19.0 aerobic; R2adj = 10.3 muscular; Ps< 0.001] and Tol [R2adj = 11.6 aerobic; R2adj = 15.4 muscular; Ps< 0.001] explained significant variance in fitness after controlling for age and sex. Discussion: Findings support the relationship between select personality characteristics and fitness in FFs. Understanding these relationships could aid in developing a more optimal training program during a FF training academy. More, or supplemental, physical training could be given to those with lower exercise intensity tolerance and/or perceived fitness than their counterparts.Ope

Usefulness of C-reactive protein as a marker of early post-infarct left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Objective To assess the usefulness of in-hospital measurement of C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration in comparison to well-established risk factors as a marker of post-infarct left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) at discharge. Materials and methods Two hundred and four consecutive patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) were prospectively enrolled into the study. CRP plasma concentrations were measured before reperfusion, 24 h after admission and at discharge with an ultra-sensitive latex immunoassay. Results CRP concentration increased significantly during the first 24 h of hospitalization (2.4 ± 1.9 vs. 15.7 ± 17.0 mg/L; p\0.001) and persisted elevated at discharge (14.7 ± 14.7 mg/L), mainly in 57 patients with LVSD (2.4 ± 1.8 vs. 25.0 ± 23.4 mg/L; p\0.001; CRP at discharge 21.9 ± 18.6 mg/L). The prevalence of LVSD was significantly increased across increasing tertiles of CRP concentration both at 24 h after admission (13.2 vs. 19.1 vs. 51.5 %; p\0.0001) and at discharge (14.7 vs. 23.5 vs. 45.6 %; p\0.0001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated CRP concentration at discharge to be an independent marker of early LVSD (odds ratio of 1.38 for a 10 mg/L increase, 95 % confidence interval 1.01–1.87; p\0.04). Conclusion Measurement of CRP plasma concentration at discharge may be useful as a marker of early LVSD in patients after a first STEMI

Lenalidomide reduces microglial activation and behavioral deficits in a transgenic model of Parkinson’s disease

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most common causes of dementia and motor deficits in the elderly. PD is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of the synaptic protein alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra, which leads to neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. Currently, there are no disease modifying alternatives for PD; however, targeting neuroinflammation might be a viable option for reducing motor deficits and neurodegeneration. Lenalidomide is a thalidomide derivative designed for reduced toxicity and increased immunomodulatory properties. Lenalidomide has shown protective effects in an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and its mechanism of action involves modulation of cytokine production and inhibition of NF-κB signaling. METHODS: In order to assess the effect of lenalidomide in an animal model of PD, mThy1-α-syn transgenic mice were treated with lenalidomide or the parent molecule thalidomide at 100 mg/kg for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Lenalidomide reduced motor behavioral deficits and ameliorated dopaminergic fiber loss in the striatum. This protective action was accompanied by a reduction in microgliosis both in striatum and hippocampus. Central expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was diminished in lenalidomide-treated transgenic animals, together with reduction in NF-κB activation. CONCLUSION: These results support the therapeutic potential of lenalidomide for reducing maladaptive neuroinflammation in PD and related neuropathologies. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-015-0320-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Czy etyka i spoleczna odpowiedzialnosc biznesu moga byc stosowane w strategii przedsiebiorstw bez ograniczen?

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Total Quality Management (TQM) and Leadership

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Wpływ nawożenia azotem na zawartość pierwiastków śladowych w winorośli odmiany Bianca

The knowledge of interactions between nitrogen and other nutrients and trace elements is the key to improving the uptake of nutrients. A study on a grapevine cultivar called Bianca was carried out in the Garlicki Lamus vineyard located in Garlica Murowana (near Krakow, Poland) in 2010-2011. The plants were treated with three nitrogen doses (0, 50 and 100 kg N ha–1) supplied as ammonium nitrate in a single application at three weeks pre-flowering. Samples of leaf petioles and blades, as well as grapes were taken. After wet microwave digestion in HNO3, some nutrient elements: B, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Mo and Na, as well as trace elements: Al, Ba, Cd, Cr, Li, Ni, Sr, Ti and V were measured using the ICP-OES technique. Concentrations of microelements in the grapevine tissues were in the optimum (B, Cu, Fe, Zn and Mo) or high (Mn) range of content reported for ‘full bloom’ plants. N fertilizers enhanced leaf accumulation of trace elements such as Ti and V or depressed the uptake of some elements like B, Mn, Ba, Cd and Sr. Analyzed leaf blades contained higher amounts of Fe, Mn, Al, Ni, Pb, Ti and V than petioles. In contrast, petioles had more B, Zn, Mo, Cd, Ba, Li and Sr. Increased N fertilization diminished Cd and Ti (only at 50 kg N ha–1) in grape must; the reverse was true for Ba and Sr. The vintage strongly influenced grape mineral content. During warmer and wet year 2010, higher amounts Al, Cu, Fe and Ti were measured in fruits. The dry season in 2011 increased the content of Mn, B, Cd, Cr and Ni in fruits