Intercomparison of soil pore water extraction methods for stable isotope analysis

Funded by NSERC Discovery Grant U.S. Forest Service U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Bioenergy Technologies OfficePeer reviewedPostprin

The development of a new sport-specific classification of coping and a meta-analysis of the relationship between different coping strategies and moderators on sporting outcomes

There is an ever growing coping and sports performance literature, with researchers using many different methods to assess performance and different classifications of coping. As such, it makes it difficult to compare studies and therefore identify how coping is related to performance. Furthermore, there are no quantitative syntheses of the results from these studies. A quantitative synthesis would facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of how coping is associated with athletic performance. In order to accurately compare studies, our first aim was to develop a new coping classification that would make this possible. Firstly, we reviewed the strengths and limitations of the different coping classifications and then identified the commonalities and differences between such classifications. We opted for a three-factor classification of coping, because the evidence suggests that a three-factor classification provides a superior model fit to two-factor approaches. Our new classification of coping was based on an existing model from the developmental literature, which received an excellent model fit. We made some adaptations, however, as our classification was intended for an athletic population. As such, we classified coping as mastery (i.e., controlling the situation and eliminating the stressor), internal regulation (i.e., managing internal stress responses), or goal withdrawal (i.e., ceasing efforts towards goal attainment). Undertaking a meta-analysis, our second aim was to identify which coping strategies correlated with sports performance and whether this relationship varied according to moderator variables. Articles were sourced from online electronic databases and manual journal searches. PRISMA guidelines were used to search, select, and synthesize relevant studies. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to identify associations between coping classification and sport performance. Q, I2, and R2 values assessed heterogeneity. Eighteen published investigations, including 3900 participants and incorporating fifty-nine correlations, indicated an overall positive effect for mastery coping, a negligible negative effect for internal regulation coping, and a negative effect for goal withdrawal strategies. The findings of this meta-analysis could be used by sports practitioners to help them deliver effective coping interventions. In order to maximize performance, practitioners could encourage the use of mastery coping, but advise their athletes not to use goal withdrawal strategies

Phenotypic Mapping of The Chicken Embryonic Thymic Microenvironment Developing Within an Organ Culture System

The chicken thymic microenvironment, as it developed in an embryonic thymus organ culture system, was phenotypically mapped using a panel of mAb defining both epithelial and nonepithelial stromal cell antigens. We have previously reported that thymocyte proliferation and differentiation will proceed for up to 6–8 days in thymus organ culture, hence demonstrating the functional integrity of the thymic microenvironment in vitro. During this time, the stromal component reflected that of the normal embryo with cortical and medullary epithelial areas readily identifiable by both morphology and surface-antigen expression. An abundance of subcapsular and cortical epithelial antigens was detected in the cultured thymus, particularly those normally expressed by the epithelium lining the capsule, trabeculae, and vascular regions (type epithelium) in the adult and embryonic thymus. Medullary epithelial antigens developed in organ culture, although were present in lower frequency than observed in the age-matched embryonic thymus. MHC class II expression by both epithelial and nonepithelial cells was maintained at high levels throughout the culture period. With increasing time in culture, the ratio of epithelial to nonepithelial cells decreased, concurrent with a decrease in thymocyte frequency and suggestive of a bidirectional interaction between these two cell types. Thus, a functionally intact thymic microenvironment appears to be maintained in embryonic thymus organ culture, a model that is currently being exploited to assess the role of stromal antigens, as defined by our mAb, in the process of thymopoiesis

The steady-state repertoire of human SCF Ubiquitin ligase complexes does not require ongoing Nedd8 conjugation

The human genome encodes 69 different F-box proteins (FBPs), each of which can potentially assemble with Skp1-Cul1-RING to serve as the substrate specificity subunit of an SCF ubiquitin ligase complex. SCF activity is switched on by conjugation of the ubiquitin- like protein Nedd8 to Cul1. Cycles of Nedd8 conjugation and deconjugation acting in conjunction with the Cul1-sequestering factor Cand1 are thought to control dynamic cycles of SCF assembly and disassembly, which would enable a dynamic equilibrium between the Cul1- RING catalytic core of SCF and the cellular repertoire of FBPs. To test this hypothesis, we determined the cellular composition of SCF complexes and evaluated the impact of Nedd8 conjugation on this steady-state. At least 42 FBPs assembled with Cul1 in HEK 293 cells, and the levels of Cul1-bound FBPs varied by over two orders of magnitude. Unexpectedly, quantitative mass spectrometry revealed that blockade of Nedd8 conjugation led to a modest increase, rather than a decrease, in the overall level of most SCF complexes. We suggest that multiple mechanisms including FBP dissociation and turnover cooperate to maintain the cellular pool of SCF ubiquitin ligases

Effect of soy in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and subclinical hypogonadism: a randomised controlled study

Context: Isoflavones found in soy products have a chemical structure similar to estrogen, leading to concerns of an adverse estrogenic effect in men, particularly in those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who have low testosterone levels due to hypogonadism. Objective: The primary outcome was change in total testosterone levels. The secondary outcomes were the changes in glycaemia and cardiovascular risk markers. Design: Randomised double blind parallel study. Setting: Secondary care setting in UK. Participants: 200 men with T2DM with a total testosterone level≤12nmol/L Intervention: 15g soy protein with 66mg of isoflavones (SPI) or 15g soy protein alone without isoflavones (SP) daily as snack bars for three months. Results: There was no change in either total testosterone or in absolute free testosterone levels with either SPI or SP. There was an increase in TSH and reduction in fT4 (p<0.01) after SPI supplementation. Glycaemic control improved with a significant reduction in HbA1c (-4.19(7.29)mmol/mol,p<0.01) and HOMA-IR after SPI. Cardiovascular risk improved with a reduction in triglycerides, CRP and diastolic BP (p<0.05) with SPI versus SP supplementation. There was 6% improvement in 10-year coronary heart disease risk after three months of SPI supplementation. Endothelial function improved with both SPI and SP supplementation (p<0.01) with an increased reactive hyperemia index that was greater for the SPI group (p<0.05). Conclusions: Testosterone levels were unchanged and there was a significant improvement in glycaemia and cardiovascular risk markers with SPI compared to SP alone over three months. There was significant increase in TSH and a reduction in fT4

Deuterium site occupancy and phase boundaries in ZrNiDx (0.87<=x<=3.0)

ZrNiDx samples with compositions between x=0.87 and x=3.0 were investigated by 2H magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MAS-NMR), powder x-ray diffraction (XRD), neutron vibrational spectroscopy (NVS), and neutron powder diffraction (NPD). The rigid-lattice MAS-NMR spectrum for a ZrNiD0.88 sample in the triclinic beta phase shows a single phase with two well-resolved resonances at +11.5 and −1.7 ppm, indicating that two inequivalent D sites are occupied, as was observed previously in ZrNiD1.0. For ZrNiD0.88, the ratio of spectral intensities of the two lines is 1:0.76, indicating that the D site corresponding to the +11.5 ppm line has the lower site energy and is fully occupied. Similarly, the neutron vibrational spectra for ZrNiD0.88 clearly confirm that at least two sites are occupied. For ZrNiD1.0, XRD indicates that ~5% of the metal atoms are in the gamma phase, corresponding to an upper composition for the beta phase of x=0.90±0.04, consistent with the MAS-NMR and neutron vibrational spectra indicating that x=0.88 is single phase. The MAS-NMR and NVS of ZrNiD1.87 indicate a mixed-phase sample (beta+gamma) and clearly show that the two inequivalent sites observed at x=0.88 cannot be attributed to the sites normally occupied in the gamma phase. For ZrNiD2.75, NPD results indicate a gamma-phase boundary of x=2.86±0.03 at 300 K, increasing to 2.93±0.02 at 180 K and below, in general agreement with the phase boundary estimated from the NVS and MAS-NMR spectra of ZrNiD1.87. Rigid-lattice 2H MAS-NMR spectra of ZrNiD2.75 and ZrNiD2.99 show a ratio of spectral intensities of 1.8±0.1:1 and 2.1±0.1:1 (Zr3Ni:Zr3Ni2), respectively, indicating complete occupancy of the lower-energy Zr3Ni2 site, consistent with the NPD results. For each composition, the correlation time for deuterium hopping was determined at the temperature where resolved peaks in the MAS-NMR spectrum coalesce due to motion between inequivalent D sites. The measured correlation times are consistent with previously determined motional parameters for ZrNiHx

The effect of soy phytoestrogen supplementation on thyroid status and cardiovascular risk markers in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study

Context: There is concern whether soy phytoestrogens may affect thyroid function. If true, soy phytoestrogens may be expected to have a greater impact in subjects with subclinical hypothyroidism. Objective: The primary aim was to determine the effect of soy phytoestrogen supplementation on thyroid function, with a secondary aim of assessing the effects on cardiovascular risk indices in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. Design and Setting: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, crossover study in a tertiary care setting. Participants: Sixty patients with subclinical hypothyroidism participated in the study. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to either low-dose phytoestrogen (30 g soy protein with 2 mg phytoestrogens, representative of a Western diet) or high-dose phytoestrogen (30 g soy protein with 16 mg phytoestrogens, representative of a vegetarian diet) supplementation for 8 wk, then crossed over after an 8-wk washout period. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was progression to overt hypothyroidism, with secondary outcome measures of blood pressure, insulin resistance, lipids, and highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Results: Six female patients in the study progressed into overt hypothyroidism with a standardized rate ratio of 3.6 (95% confidence interval, 1.9, 6.2) after 16-mg phytoestrogen supplementation. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased with 16 mg phytoestrogens, whereas systolic pressure alone decreased with 2 mg phytoestrogens. Insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, 3.5 ± 0.09 vs. 2.6 ± 0.08; P < 0.02) and hsCRP (4.9 ± 0.04 vs. 3.9 ± 0.03; P < 0.01) decreased with 16 mg phytoestrogens. Lipid profile remained unchanged. Conclusion: There is a 3-fold increased risk of developing overt hypothyroidism with dietary supplementation of 16 mg soy phytoestrogens with subclinical hypothyroidism. However, 16-mg soy phytoestrogen supplementation significantly reduces the insulin resistance, hsCRP, and blood pressure in these patients. Copyright © 2011 by The Endocrine Society

Do Scapular Kinematics Alter during the Performance of the Scapular Assistance Test and Scapular Retraction Test: A Pilot Study

Objective: To describe to what degree and in what plane biomechanical alterations occur during the performance of the Scapular Retraction test (SRT) and Scapular Assistance Test (SAT). Design: Laboratory Pilot Study Participants: Eight symptomatic and 7 asymptomatic subjects were instrumented with electromagnetic sensors. Main Outcome Measures: The SRT and SAT were performed with the scapula stabilized and unstabilized. The scapular kinematic variables of posterior tilt, internal rotation, upward rotation, protraction, and elevation were measured during both tests. Results: Descriptive analysis of scapular kinematics suggested that posterior tilt was primarily increased during both clinical tests in both groups. Both groups decreased in scapular elevation, indicating that the scapula was being depressed during the SRT. There was no meaningful change in force during the SRT. Conclusion: These findings indicate that both the SRT and SAT appear to alter scapular motion in both groups. The interpretations of these results are limited due to the small sample size and large confidence intervals, but suggest that these tests change specific positions of the scapula. Further research into these tests is needed to confirm these biomechanical alterations, and to determine the value of these tests when developing rehabilitation protocols in patients with shoulder pain

A systematic review of mobility instruments and their measurement properties for older acute medical patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Independent mobility is a key factor in determining readiness for discharge for older patients following acute hospitalisation and has also been identified as a predictor of many important outcomes for this patient group. This review aimed to identify a physical performance instrument that is not disease specific that has the properties required to accurately measure and monitor the mobility of older medical patients in the acute hospital setting.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Databases initially searched were Medline, Cinahl, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials without language restriction or limits on year of publication until July 2005. After analysis of this yield, a second step was the systematic search of Medline, Cinahl and Embase until August 2005 for evidence of the clinical utility of each potentially suitable instrument. Reports were included in this review if instruments described had face validity for measuring from bed bound to independent levels of ambulation, the items were suitable for application in an acute hospital setting and the instrument required observation (rather than self-report) of physical performance. Evidence of the clinical utility of each potentially suitable instrument was considered if data on measurement properties were reported.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three instruments, the Elderly Mobility Scale (EMS), Hierarchical Assessment of Balance and Mobility (HABAM) and the Physical Performance Mobility Examination (PPME) were identified as potentially relevant. Clinimetric evaluation indicated that the HABAM has the most desirable properties of these three instruments. However, the HABAM has the limitation of a ceiling effect in an older acute medical patient population and reliability and minimally clinically important difference (MCID) estimates have not been reported for the Rasch refined HABAM. These limitations support the proposal that a new mobility instrument is required for older acute medical patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No existing instrument has the properties required to accurately measure and monitor mobility of older acute medical patients.</p

How Are Autism and Schizotypy Related? Evidence from a Non-Clinical Population

Both autism spectrum conditions (ASCs) and schizophrenia spectrum conditions (SSCs) involve altered or impaired social and communicative functioning, but whether these shared features indicate overlapping or different etiological factors is unknown. We outline three hypotheses (overlapping, independent, and diametric) for the possible relationship between ASCs and SSCs, and compare their predictions for the expected relationships between autistic and schizotypal phenotypes using the Autism Spectrum Quotient and the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire-Brief Revised from a large non-clinical sample of undergraduate students. Consistent with previous research, autistic features were positively associated with several schizotypal features, with the most overlap occurring between interpersonal schizotypy and autistic social and communication phenotypes. The first component of a principal components analysis (PCA) of subscale scores reflected these positive correlations, and suggested the presence of an axis (PC1) representing general social interest and aptitude. By contrast, the second principal component (PC2) exhibited a pattern of positive and negative loadings indicative of an axis from autism to positive schizotypy, such that positive schizotypal features loaded in the opposite direction to core autistic features. These overall PCA patterns were replicated in a second data set from a Japanese population. To evaluate the validity of our interpretation of the PCA results, we measured handedness and mental rotation ability, as these are established correlates of SSCs and ASCs, respectively. PC2 scores were significantly associated with hand preference, such that increasingly ‘schizotypal’ scores predicted reduced strength of handedness, which is consistent with previous research. PC1 scores were positively related to performance on the mental rotation task, suggesting trade-offs between social skills and visual-spatial ability. These results provide novel evidence for an autism-positive schizotypy axis, and highlight the importance of recognizing that psychological variation involving reduced social interest and functioning may have diverse causes