New Zealand blackcurrant extract improves high-intensity intermittent running performance.

New Zealand blackcurrant (BC) intake showed reduced blood lactate during low and moderate intensity cycling and improved 16.1 km cycling time trial performance. We examined the effect of BC on high-intensity intermittent treadmill running and post-running lactate clearance. Thirteen active males (age: 25±4 yrs, stature: 1.82±0.07 m, body mass: 81±14 kg, V̇O2max: 56±4 mL∙kg-1∙min-1, velocity at V̇O2max: 17.6±0.8 km∙h-1, mean±SD) visited the laboratory three times. In the 1st visit, a ramp protocol (0.1 km∙h-1 every 5 sec) was completed to establish V̇O2max and velocity at V̇O2max, and subjects were familiarised with the protocols. In visits 2 and 3, subjects completed an high intensity intermittent running capability test which consisted of six 19 s high-intensity running bouts, each interspersed by 15 s of low-intensity running, followed by 1 minute of rest, this was repeated at increasing speeds, until exhaustion. Prior to visits 2 and 3, subjects consumed either New Zealand BC extract (300 mg∙day-1 CurraNZ™; containing 105 mg anthocyanin) or placebo (P) (300 mg∙day-1 microcrystalline cellulose M102) for 7 days in capsules (double blind, randomised, cross-over design, wash-out at least 14 days). Blood lactate was collected for 30 min post-exhaustion. Two-tailed paired t-tests were used and significance accepted at p< .05. BC increased total running distance by 10.6% (BC: 4282±833 m, P: 3871±622 m, p = .023, 10 out of 13 subjects improved), with the distance during the high-intensity running bouts by 10.8% (p= .024). Heart rate, rating of perceived exertion and oxygen uptake were not different between conditions for each stage. At exhaustion, lactate tended to be higher for BC (BC: 6.01±1.07 mmol∙L-1, P: 5.22±1.52 mmol∙L-1, p = .066, 9 out of 13 subjects). There was a trend towards improved lactate clearance following 15 min (BC: -2.89±0.51 mmol∙L-1, P: -2.46±0.39 mmol∙L-1, p = .07) and 30 minutes of passive recovery (BC: -4.12±0.73 mmol∙L-1, P: -3.66±1.01 mmol∙L-1, p = 0.11). It is concluded that New Zealand blackcurrant extract (CurraNZ™) may enhance performance in team sports characterised by high-intensity intermittent exercise as with BC intake greater distances were covered during high-intensity running, there was higher lactate tolerance, and increased lactate clearance after high-intensity exercise

Comparative analysis of transcriptional changes in zebrafish cep290 and bbs2 mutants by RNA-seq reveals upregulation of inflammatory and stress-related pathways

Acute injury to the adult zebrafish retina triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors that stimulate multiple gene regulatory networks, which ultimately stimulate Müller glia to proliferate and regenerate neurons. In contrast, zebrafish carrying mutations in cep290 or bbs2 undergo progressive loss of cone photoreceptors and exhibit signs of microglia activation and inflammation, but the mutants fail to stimulate a regeneration response. To identify transcriptional changes that occur in zebrafish mutants undergoing progressive photoreceptor degeneration, RNA-seq transcriptional profiling was performed on cep290−/− and bbs2−/− retinas. The PANTHER Classification System was used to identify biological processes and signaling pathways that were differentially expressed between mutants and wild-type siblings during degeneration. As expected, genes associated with phototransduction were downregulated in cep290 and bbs2 mutants compared to wild-type siblings. Although both cep290 and bbs2 mutants undergo proliferation of rod precursors in response to retinal degeneration, the process of negatively regulating proliferation is enriched for upregulated genes, and this negative regulation may restrict proliferation of Müller glia and inhibit regeneration. A total of 815 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were shared by cep290 and bbs2 retinas. Genes in pathways associated with inflammation, apoptosis, stress response, and PDGF signaling were overrepresented. Identifying the genes and biological pathways that are common in zebrafish models of inherited retinal degeneration provides a foundation for future studies on the mechanisms that regulate cell death as well as processes that prohibit Müller cell reprogramming or proliferation in a model capable of retinal regeneration. The pathways will provide targets for future interventions that may promote successful regeneration of lost photoreceptors

Increased simulated risk of the hot Australian summer of 2012/13 due to anthropogenic activity as measured by heat wave frequency and intensity

The Australian summer of 2012/13 was the warmest since records began in 1910 (Bureau of Meteorology 2013a). The season was characterized by the hottest month on record (January), where the continental mean temperature reached 36.9°C. Averaged nationally, the last four months of 2012 were 1.61°C higher than the long-term mean. Rainfall was below average for much of the country since July 2012. Along with the late onset of the Australian monsoon, such conditions primed the continent for extremely hot summer weather, including heat waves. Heat waves require detailed focus due to their large impacts (Karoly 2009; Coumou and Rahmstorf 2012), particularly on human health and morbidity (Nitschke et al. 2007). Much of inland Australia experienced extreme temperatures for over three consecutive weeks (Bureau of Meteorology 2013a)

Perspectives of UK community first responders on a national public access defibrillator database

Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) survival to hospital discharge in the United Kingdom is lower than in many other developed regions, with England 9% [1] and Scotland 5% [2], compared to North Holland Province, the Netherlands 21% [3] and Norway 25% [4]. In 2015, the British Heart Foundation commissioned a feasibility study into the establishment of a national Public Accessible Defibrillator (PAD) database for the UK and how it could improve OHCA survival. As part of this feasibility study, the views of a range of stakeholders were sought, including those of community first responders (CFRs). CFRs are volunteers from local communities who attend to emergency calls received by the ambulance service and provide care until an ambulance arrives. There were over 12,000 CFRs operating across the UK in 2014 [5]. Most of the PADs are static AEDs made available in public places. The alternative is the use of mobile defibrillators that are carried to the scene of an emergency by CFRs [6]. Methods: A survey was designed with 12 questions. It covered the areas of CFR demographics, experience with PADs, and their views on a national PAD database and the technologies and apps available for locating defibrillators and for alerting lay responders of an emergency. The survey questionnaire was made available via an online survey tool (SurveyMonkey). Between November and December 2015, links to the survey were sent via email to CFRs via the National Ambulance Services Responder Managers Forum [7]. Results: 760 responses were received (6.3% response rate) with 12 out 14 ambulance service regions represented. The experience of CFRs ranges from none (just finished training) to 16 years, with the largest proportion having under 2 years experience (47.28%, 322 of 681). Awareness of apps and their use was variable with a reasonable knowledge of GoodSAM, AED Locator and the South Central Ambulance Service app but 75% did not know if apps are routinely used in their area. 35.47% of respondents (255 of 719) felt a national database of AED locations would have a significant impact on awareness and use of defibrillators with a further 42.84% (308 of 719) thinking it would have some impact. Additionally, the use of apps linked to a national database was supported by over 85% of respondents. Conclusion: In the survey, CFRs expressed generally positive opinions about a national PAD database and linked apps. The need for it arises naturally from having defibrillators in the community and is an additional tool to help save lives. Issues that need to be considered however include information accuracy and maintenance; the need for training combined with first aid and CPR. CFRs identified the main barriers to defibrillator use as (1) not knowing how to use one, (2) not knowing where to find one and (3) fear of injury to the victim. Lack of awareness amongst the public about the availability and use of defibrillators was highlighted as a major challenge and the absolute need for a high profile and awareness raising campaign was flagged

The role of informatics in prehospital emergency resuscitation and defibrillation

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrests account for a large number of deaths as the time window for successful resuscitation is very short. Timely call for help, resuscitation and defibrillation by laypersons are crucial for the survival and outcome of cardiac arrest victims. Good quality data and informatics play an important role in the effectiveness of the chain of survival. Information about defibrillator location is vital for emergency services to direct bystanders; informatics also helps to strategically place defibrillators for optimal use. Technologies, such as location-based systems are being used to keep track of defibrillators and also alert volunteer responders to emergencies. Informatics also plays a role in post resuscitation care and research by facilitating the linkage and interoperability of health data between different systems, such as ambulance service, hospital, and other health data such as cardiac arrest registries

Life saving apps : linking cardiac arrest victims to emergency services and volunteer responders

In cases of emergency, such as out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, the first few minutes are crucial for victims to receive care and have a positive outcome. However, emergency services often arrive on scene after those first few minutes, making any bridging solutions key. Finding a defibrillator or accessing a trained volunteer responder are some of the technologicalsolutions that are being developed to support the chain of survival. This paper looks at technologies, in particular those linked to mobile apps that have been used to locate defibrillators and responder apps that enable responders to attend to nearby emergencies. We review a selection of apps and also assess the challenges and considerations for such apps

2003-2004 An Evening of Musical Sharing & Caring

Best Buddies Benefit Concerthttps://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_otherseasonalconcerts/1055/thumbnail.jp

Mechanical versus manual chest compression for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (PARAMEDIC) : a pragmatic, cluster randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Mechanical chest compression devices have the potential to help maintain high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), but despite their increasing use, little evidence exists for their effectiveness. We aimed to study whether the introduction of LUCAS-2 mechanical CPR into front-line emergency response vehicles would improve survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: The pre-hospital randomised assessment of a mechanical compression device in cardiac arrest (PARAMEDIC) trial was a pragmatic, cluster-randomised open-label trial including adults with non-traumatic, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest from four UK Ambulance Services (West Midlands, North East England, Wales, South Central). 91 urban and semi-urban ambulance stations were selected for participation. Clusters were ambulance service vehicles, which were randomly assigned (1:2) to LUCAS-2 or manual CPR. Patients received LUCAS-2 mechanical chest compression or manual chest compressions according to the first trial vehicle to arrive on scene. The primary outcome was survival at 30 days following cardiac arrest and was analysed by intention to treat. Ambulance dispatch staff and those collecting the primary outcome were masked to treatment allocation. Masking of the ambulance staff who delivered the interventions and reported initial response to treatment was not possible. The study is registered with Current Controlled Trials, number ISRCTN08233942. FINDINGS: We enrolled 4471 eligible patients (1652 assigned to the LUCAS-2 group, 2819 assigned to the control group) between April 15, 2010 and June 10, 2013. 985 (60%) patients in the LUCAS-2 group received mechanical chest compression, and 11 (<1%) patients in the control group received LUCAS-2. In the intention-to-treat analysis, 30 day survival was similar in the LUCAS-2 group (104 [6%] of 1652 patients) and in the manual CPR group (193 [7%] of 2819 patients; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0·86, 95% CI 0·64-1·15). No serious adverse events were noted. Seven clinical adverse events were reported in the LUCAS-2 group (three patients with chest bruising, two with chest lacerations, and two with blood in mouth). 15 device incidents occurred during operational use. No adverse or serious adverse events were reported in the manual group. INTERPRETATION: We noted no evidence of improvement in 30 day survival with LUCAS-2 compared with manual compressions. On the basis of ours and other recent randomised trials, widespread adoption of mechanical CPR devices for routine use does not improve survival