Interrelationships between mitochondrial function, maximal oxygen consumption, running economy, and diet in elite male and female runners

The relationships between maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), mitochondrial function and running economy were investigated in a population of twenty-one endurance trained males and females (range=18-54 yrs). The purposes of this study were: 1) to determine whether mitochondrial oxidative capacity, as defined by the maximal activities of citrate synthase (CS), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), and beta-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (BHAD), is a significant determinant of maximal oxygen consumption in endurance trained men and women, and 2) to observe the relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and running economy in the same population. Muscle biopsy samples were taken from the vastus lateralis prior to a 90-minute bout of submaximal running (65% VO2max) from which running economy was assessed. Running economy was observed to significantly negatively correlate with VO2max, expressed in either absolute or relative values: L/min (r = -.506), ml/kg body mass/min (r = -.703) and ml/kg FFM/min (r = -.700). Data also show that maximal COX activity was significantly related to VO2max, L/min (r = .789). In addition, non-significant positive correlations were apparent between both CS and COX activity and all other expressions of VO2max (r \u3e .6). BHAD activity was not related to any measured variable. These results confirm that an inverse relationship is present relating VO2max and running economy. Also, data herein indicate that maximal activities of key marker enzymes of the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation are likely a significant factor determining whole-body maximal oxygen consumption in endurance trained males and females

Projected equations of motion approach to hybrid quantum/classical dynamics in dielectric-metal composites

We introduce a hybrid method for dielectric-metal composites that describes the dynamics of the metallic system classically whilst retaining a quantum description of the dielectric. The time-dependent dipole moment of the classical system is mimicked by the introduction of projected equations of motion (PEOM) and the coupling between the two systems is achieved through an effective dipole-dipole interaction. To benchmark this method, we model a test system (semiconducting quantum dot-metal nanoparticle hybrid). We begin by examining the energy absorption rate, showing agreement between the PEOM method and the analytical rotating wave approximation (RWA) solution. We then investigate population inversion and show that the PEOM method provides an accurate model for the interaction under ultrashort pulse excitation where the traditional RWA breaks down

Food Habits of Dabbling Ducks During Fall Migration in a Prairie Pothole System, Heron Lake, Minnesota

We conducted an analysis of dabbling duck food habits in the fall of 2002 and 2003 in the Heron Lake system. Gizzard contents of hunter-harvested birds were analyzed using the percent aggregate volume method to determine what food items were consumed and in what quantity. Curltop Ladysthumb (Polygonum lapathifolium) was the food item consumed most often (82.2%) and in the greatest volume (34.2 ml). Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata) was the only food item of which multiple plant parts were consumed. However, the seeds and tubers only comprised 1.27 and 0.07 of the total aggregate percent

Comparison of the prognostic value of ECOG-PS, MGPS and BMI/WL: Implications for a clinically important framework in the assessment and treatment of advanced cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:The systemic inflammatory response is associated with the loss of lean tissue, anorexia, weakness, fatigue and reduced survival in patients with advanced cancer and therefore is important in the definition of cancer cachexia. The aim of the present study was to carry out a direct comparison of the prognostic value of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS), modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS) and Body Mass Index/Weight Loss Grade (BMI/WL grade) in patients with advanced cancer. METHOD:All data were collected prospectively across 18 sites in the UK and Ireland. Patient's age, sex, ECOG-PS, mGPS and BMI/WL grade were recorded, as were details of underlying disease including metastases. Survival data were analysed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression. RESULTS:A total of 730 patients were assessed. The majority of patients were male (53%), over 65 years of age (56%), had an ECOG-PS>0/1 (56%), mGPS≥1 (56%), BMI≥25 (51%), <2.5% weight loss (57%) and had metastatic disease (86%). On multivariate cox regression analysis ECOG-PS (HR 1.61 95%CI 1.42-1.83, p < 0.001), mGPS (HR 1.53, 95%CI 1.39-1.69, p < 0.001) and BMI/WL grade (HR 1.41, 95%CI 1.25-1.60, p < 0.001) remained independently associated with overall survival. In patients with a BMI/WL grade 0/1 both ECOG and mGPS remained independently associated with overall survival. CONCLUSION:The ECOG/mGPS framework may form the basis of risk stratification of survival in patients with advanced cancer

KAP1 Recruitment of the 7SK snRNP Complex to Promoters Enables Transcription Elongation by RNA Polymerase II

SummaryThe transition from transcription initiation to elongation at promoters of primary response genes (PRGs) in metazoan cells is controlled by inducible transcription factors, which utilize P-TEFb to phosphorylate RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in response to stimuli. Prior to stimulation, a fraction of P-TEFb is recruited to promoter-proximal regions in a catalytically inactive state bound to the 7SK small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex. However, it remains unclear how and why the 7SK snRNP is assembled at these sites. Here we report that the transcriptional regulator KAP1 continuously tethers the 7SK snRNP to PRG promoters to facilitate P-TEFb recruitment and productive elongation in response to stimulation. Remarkably, besides PRGs, genome-wide studies revealed that KAP1 and 7SK snRNP co-occupy most promoter-proximal regions containing paused Pol II. Collectively, we provide evidence of an unprecedented mechanism controlling 7SK snRNP delivery to promoter-proximal regions to facilitate "on-site" P-TEFb activation and Pol II elongation

Are CT-derived muscle measurements prognostic, independent of systemic inflammation in good performance status patients with advanced cancer?

The present study examined the relationships between CT-derived muscle measurements, systemic inflammation, and survival in advanced cancer patients with good performance status (ECOG-PS 0/1). Data was collected prospectively from patients with advanced cancer undergoing anti-cancer therapy with palliative intent. The CT Sarcopenia score (CT-SS) was calculated by combining the CT-derived skeletal muscle index (SMI) and density (SMD). The systemic inflammatory status was determined using the modified Glasgow Prognostic Score (mGPS). The primary outcome of interest was overall survival (OS). Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were used for survival analysis. Three hundred and seven patients met the inclusion criteria, out of which 62% (n = 109) were male and 47% (n = 144) were ≥65 years of age, while 38% (n = 118) were CT-SS ≥ 1 and 47% (n = 112) of patients with pre-study blood were inflamed (mGPS ≥ 1). The median survival from entry to the study was 11.1 months (1–68.1). On univariate analysis, cancer type (p < 0.05) and mGPS (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with OS. On multivariate analysis, only mGPS (p < 0.001) remained significantly associated with OS. In patients who were ECOG-PS 0, mGPS was significantly associated with CT-SS (p < 0.05). mGPS may dominate the prognostic value of CT-derived sarcopenia in good-performance-status patients with advanced cancer

Lactate dehydrogenase: Relationship with the diagnostic GLIM criterion for cachexia in patients with advanced cancer

Background: Although suggestive of dysregulated metabolism, the relationship between serum LDH level, phenotypic/aetiologic diagnostic Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria and survival in patients with advanced cancer has yet to examined. Methods: Prospectively collected data from patients with advanced cancer, undergoing anti-cancer therapy with palliative intent, across nine sites in the UK and Ireland between 2011–2016, was retrospectively analysed. LDH values were grouped as <250/250–500/>500 Units/L. Relationships were examined using χ2 test for linear-by-linear association and binary logistics regression analysis. Results: A total of 436 patients met the inclusion criteria. 46% (n = 200) were male and 59% (n = 259) were ≥65 years of age. The median serum LDH was 394 Units/L and 33.5% (n = 146) had an LDH > 500 Units/L. LDH was significantly associated with ECOG-PS (p < 0.001), NLR (p < 0.05), mGPS (p < 0.05) and 3-month survival (p < 0.001). LDH was significantly associated with 3-month survival independent of weight loss (p < 0.01), BMI (p < 0.05), skeletal muscle mass (p < 0.01), metastatic disease (p < 0.05), NLR (p < 0.05) and mGPS (p < 0.01). Discussion: LDH was associated with performance status, systemic inflammation and survival in patients with advanced cancer. LDH measurement may be considered as an aetiologic criteria and become a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of cancer cachexia

Electron-phonon interaction in ultrasmall-radius carbon nanotubes

We perform analysis of the band structure, phonon dispersion, and electron-phonon interactions in three types of small-radius carbon nanotubes. We find that the (5,5) can be described well by the zone-folding method and the electron-phonon interaction is too small to support either a charge-density wave or superconductivity at realistic temperatures. For ultra-small (5,0) and (6,0) nanotubes we find that the large curvature makes these tubes metallic with a large density of states at the Fermi energy and leads to unusual electron-phonon interactions, with the dominant coupling coming from the out-of-plane phonon modes. By combining the frozen-phonon approximation with the RPA analysis of the giant Kohn anomaly in 1d we find parameters of the effective Fr\"{o}lich Hamiltonian for the conduction electrons. Neglecting Coulomb interactions, we find that the (5,5) CNT remains stable to instabilities of the Fermi surface down to very low temperatures while for the (5,0) and (6,0) CNTs a CDW instability will occur. When we include a realistic model of Coulomb interaction we find that the charge-density wave remains dominant in the (6,0) CNT with $T_{\rm CDW}$ around 5 K while the charge-density wave instability is suppressed to very low temperatures in the (5,0) CNT, making superconductivity dominant with transition temperature around one Kelvin.Comment: 20 pages. Updated 7/23/0

The relationship between the BMI-adjusted weight loss grading system and quality of life in patients with incurable cancer

Weight loss (WL) has long been recognized as an important factor associated with reduced quality of life (QoL) and reduced survival in patients with cancer. The body mass index (BMI)-adjusted weight loss grading system (WLGS) has been shown to be associated with reduced survival. However, its impact on QoL has not been established. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between this WLGS and QoL in patients with advanced cancer. A biobank analysis was undertaken of adult patients with advanced cancer. Data collected included patient demographics, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, and anthropometric parameters (BMI and %WL). Patients were categorized according to the BMI-adjusted WLGS into one of five distinct WL grades (grades 0-4). QoL was collected using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-C30. The Kruskal-Wallis test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between the WLGS and QoL scores. Overall survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard models. A total of 1027 patients were assessed (51% male, median age: 66 years). Gastrointestinal cancer was most prevalent (40%), and 87% of patients had metastatic disease. Half (58%) of patients had a WL grade of 0-1, while 12%, 20%, and 10% had WL grades of 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Increasing WL grades were significantly associated with poorer QoL functioning and symptoms scales (all P < 0.05). Physical, role, and emotional functioning decreased by a median of >20 points between WL grade 0 and WL grade 4, while appetite loss, pain, dyspnoea, and fatigue increased by a median score >20 points, indicative of a large clinical significant difference. Increasing WL grades were associated with deteriorating QoL summary score. WL grades 2, 3, and 4 were independently associated with a QoL summary score below the median (<77.7) [odds ratio (OR) 1.69, P = 0.034; OR 2.06, P = 0.001; OR 4.29, P < 0.001, respectively]. WL grades 3 and 4 were independently associated with reduced overall survival [hazard ratio 1.54 (95% confidence interval: 1.22-1.93), P < 0.001 and hazard ratio 1.87 (95% confidence interval: 1.42-2.45), P < 0.001, respectively]. Our findings support that the WLGS is useful in identifying patients at risk of poor QoL that deteriorates with increasing WL grades. WL grade 4 is independently associated with a particularly worse prognosis and increased symptom burden. Identification and early referral to palliative care services may benefit these patients

Detection of a tropospheric ozone anomaly using a newly developed ozone retrieval algorithm for an up-looking infrared interferometer

Author Posting. © American Geophysical Union, 2009. This article is posted here by permission of American Geophysical Union for personal use, not for redistribution. The definitive version was published in Journal of Geophysical Research 114 (2009): D06304, doi:10.1029/2008JD010270.On 2 June 2003, the Baltimore Bomem Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (BBAERI) recorded an infrared spectral time series indicating the presence of a tropospheric ozone anomaly. The measurements were collected during an Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) validation campaign called the 2003 AIRS BBAERI Ocean Validation Experiment (ABOVE03) conducted at the United States Coast Guard Chesapeake Light station located 14 miles due east of Virginia Beach, Virginia (36.91°N, 75.71°W). Ozone retrievals were performed with the Kurt Lightner Ozone BBAERI Retrieval (KLOBBER) algorithm, which retrieves tropospheric column ozone, surface to 300 mbar, from zenith-viewing atmospheric thermal emission spectra. KLOBBER is modeled after the AIRS retrieval algorithm consisting of a synthetic statistical regression followed by a physical retrieval. The physical retrieval is implemented using the k-Compressed Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Algorithm (kCARTA) to compute spectra. The time series of retrieved integrated ozone column on 2 June 2003 displays spikes of about 10 Dobson units, well above the error of the KLOBBER algorithm. Using instrumentation at Chesapeake Light, satellite imaging, trace gas retrievals from satellites, and Potential Vorticity (PV) computations, it was determined that these sudden increases in column ozone likely were caused by a combination of midtropospheric biomass burning products from forest fires in Siberia, Russia, and stratospheric intrusion by a tropopause fold occurring over central Canada and the midwestern United States.NASA for its support through grant NAG5- 1156-7 for AIRS Validation and grant NNG04GN42G for development of AIRS trace gas products, and through a subcontract with JPL on the AIRS Project prime contract NAS7-03001 for continuing optimization and validation of AIRS trace gas products.