A learning community two years on: reflecting on successes and framing futures

This paper reports the results of a participatory action research (PAR) evaluation conducted with the members of the Granite Belt Learners Group in their rural 'learning community' in South East Queensland, and presents an action research and evaluation framework to guide the community on the next stage of its journey

Association between MAPT polymorphism but not APOE promoter and elite rugby athlete status

INTRODUCTION: Incidence and outcomes of concussions have been hypothesised to be genetically influenced. The APOE Promoter G219T (rs405509) polymorphism has been associated with differential promoter activity and unfavourable outcomes after traumatic brain injury. The TT genotype is associated with a 3-fold greater risk of multiple concussions. The TT genotype of MAPT (rs10445337) has also been associated with poorer outcomes after concussion. Rugby has one of the highest incidences of concussion in sport, so it was hypothesised that APOE Promoter TT and MAPT TT genotypes would be less prevalent in elite rugby athletes because those genotypes, previously associated with increased risk, would be less compatible with achieving elite athlete status. METHODS: Participants were from the RugbyGene project, comprising elite Caucasian male rugby athletes (n = 528; mean (standard deviation) height 1.85 (0.07) m, mass 101 (14) kg, age 29 (7) yr), including 420 rugby union (RU) athletes that for some analyses were divided into forwards and backs and 108 rugby league (RL) athletes. Non-athletes were 592 Caucasian men and women (57% male, height 1.72 (0.10) m, mass 74 (14) kg, age 31 (7) yr). PCR of genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes using TaqMan probes, then groups were compared using χ2 and odds ratio (OR) statistics. RESULTS: All genotype data were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. For MAPT (rs10445337), the risk genotype (TT) was underrepresented in rugby athletes (60%) compared to non-athletes (66%), CT more common in rugby athletes (34%) than non-athletes (29%) and little difference in CC genotype frequencies (χ2 = 7.092, P = 0.029; TT genotype frequency OR = 0.80, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.62-1.02). There were no differences in MAPT (rs10445337) genotype frequencies between RU forwards and backs. For APOE Promoter G219T (rs405509), there were no differences in genotype frequencies between all athletes (RU and RL) and non-athletes (27% TT genotype in players and non-athletes), nor between RU forwards and backs. CONCLUSION: The MAPT (rs10445337) TT genotype is 6% less common in elite rugby athletes than non-athletes. Therefore, carrying at least one rs10445337 C allele appears to increase the probability of sustained career success in the high-risk concussion environment of elite rugby, perhaps via a greater ability to recover from concussions.Peer reviewe

Association of MMP3 but not TIMP2 gene variants with elite rugby player status and rugby code

Introduction: Achilles tendon pathology and anterior cruciate ligament rupture are multifactorial conditions for which genetic risk factors have been identified. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the MMP3 (rs591058, rs679620, rs650108) and TIMP2 (rs4789932) genes have previously been associated with tendon and ligament pathologies. Although not entirely clear, prior literature indicates the risk alleles for Achilles tendon pathology as T (rs591058), G (rs679620) and A (rs650108) for MMP3. However, prior evidence regarding TIMP2 is equivocal. MMP3 is considered an essential regulator of matrix degradation and remodelling within diseased and normal musculoskeletal soft tissues. TIMP2 maintains homeostasis in the extracellular matrix in part by inhibiting MMP function. Given the high incidence and severity of tendon and ligament injuries in elite rugby athletes, we hypothesised that the aforementioned SNPs would be associated with career success. Methods: Participants from the RugbyGene project were elite Caucasian male rugby athletes (n = 566; mean (standard deviation) height 1.85 (0.07) m, mass 101 (14) kg, age 29 (7) yr), including 420 rugby union (RU) athletes that for some analyses were divided into forwards and backs and 120 rugby league (RL) athletes. Non-athletes were 589 Caucasian men and women (n = 589, 57% male, height 1.72 (0.10) m, mass 74 (14) kg, age 31 (7) yr). PCR of genomic DNA was used to determine genotypes using TaqMan probes, then groups were compared using Χ2 and odds ratio (OR) statistics. Results: As hypothesized, the MMP3 rs591058 risk genotype (TT) was less frequent in rugby athletes (28%) compared to non-athletes (33%) (Χ2 = 7.265, P = 0.026; OR = 1.18, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 0.86-1.63). No differences were found for MMP3 rs679620, rs650108 or TIMP2 rs4789932 between rugby athletes and non-athletes. When RL athletes were compared to non-athletes, the risk genotype (TT) of MMP3 rs591058 was underrepresented in RL athletes (19%) compared to non-athletes (33%). The MMP3 rs679620 ‘protective’ allele (C) was more frequent in RL athletes (55%) compared to non-athletes (48%) (OR = 1.3, 95% CI = 0.98-1.74). However, for MMP3 rs650108 the ‘risk’ allele (A) was overrepresented in RL athletes (32%) compared to non-athletes (26%). There were no genotype differences for any gene variant between RU athletes and non-athletes. The ‘risk’ allele (T) of the MMP3 rs679629 polymorphism and the ‘protective’ allele (G) of the MMP3 rs650108 polymorphism were less common in RL (45%, 68%, respectively) than RU athletes (54%, 76%, respectively). Conclusion: We provide evidence for elite rugby athletes possessing a protective genetic profile regarding tendon and ligament injury risk. Notably, a less frequent rs591058 TT genotype in athletes suggests a lower risk of injury could therefore enhance career success in rugby. Furthermore, RL players appear to have differing genetic characteristics compared to their RU counterparts, which might reflect some differences in physiological demands between codes.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Symmetry Breaking of Counter-Propagating Light in a Nonlinear Resonator

Spontaneous symmetry breaking is a concept of fundamental importance in many areas of physics, underpinning such diverse phenomena as ferromagnetism, superconductivity, superfluidity and the Higgs mechanism. Here we demonstrate nonreciprocity and spontaneous symmetry breaking between counter-propagating light in dielectric microresonators. The symmetry breaking corresponds to a resonance frequency splitting that allows only one of two counter-propagating (but otherwise identical) states of light to circulate in the resonator. Equivalently, this effect can be seen as the collapse of standing waves and transition to travelling waves within the resonator. We present theoretical calculations to show that the symmetry breaking is induced by Kerr-nonlinearity-mediated interaction between the counter-propagating light. Our findings pave the way for a variety of applications including optically controllable circulators and isolators, all-optical switching, nonlinear-enhanced rotation sensing, optical flip-flops for photonic memories as well as exceptionally sensitive power and refractive index sensors

Local vibration therapy increases oxygen re-saturation rate and maintains muscle strength following exercise-induced muscle damage.

Context: Exercise induced muscle damage (EIMD) is associated with transient reductions in strength and athletic performance. Studies conclude aetiology is due in part to muscle micro vascular damage and disruption of blood flow. Previous research on vibration therapy reports modulation in muscle blood flow, oxygenation and strength. Objective: The aim of this study was to observe if local vibration therapy (VT) alleviates the impairments and haemodynamic changes associated with EIMD. Design: Controlled laboratory study. Setting: Laboratory and public gymnasium. Patients or other participants: Ten healthy participants (6 males: 4 females; age: 38±15 yrs; height: 1.72±0.48 m; mass 72.0±10.4 kg) were randomized into experimental (VT) and control (CON) groups. Interventions: Both groups performed 10 sets of 10 eccentric wrist flexions at 70% of 1-repetition maximum to induce muscle damage. Subsequent assessment of wrist flexor strength and flexor carpus ulnaris (FCU) muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) occurred at 1-, 24- and 48 hr-post exercise. VT group underwent 10 min of local VT (45 Hz) starting 1 hr-post exercise and applied twice daily (separated by 8 hrs) for 48 hrs during habitual waking hours. CON group received no local VT. Main outcome measure(s): Grip strength, resting muscle oxygen (SmO2), muscle oxygen de-saturation and re-saturation rate. Results: No difference in grip strength observed pre EIMD, but the VT group demonstrated greater strength at 1 hr (P=0.004), 24 hr (P=0.031) and 48 hr (P=0.021) post EIMD compared to controls. No difference in SmO2 re-saturation over time (P>0.05), but the VT group had a greater re-saturation rate compared to controls at 1 hr (P=0.007, d = 2.6), 24 hr (P=0.001 d = 3.1) and 48 hr (P=0.035, d = 1.7) post EIMD. Conclusions: Local VT successfully attenuated the effects of EIMD and increased SmO2 re-saturation in FCU muscles. Including local VT as part of a recovery protocol post-EIMD could be beneficial for rehabilitation and athletic training purposes

An Investigation into Genetic Associations with Musculoskeletal Soft Tissue Injuries in Elite Rugby – Preliminary Findings

Peer reviewe

Bone Mineral Density and Associated Genetic Variants in High-level Caucasian Marathon Runners

INTRODUCTION:Endurance runners (except those who may have low energy availability) tend to have higher total and/or loading site-specific bone mineral density (BMD) in comparison with non-athletes, most likely due to the larger volume of exercise completed. A large genetic component also contributes to BMD, although little is known about which specific genes are involved, whether particular genotypes are sensitive to mechanical loading and the impact of such an interaction on BMD. This study investigated if high-level endurance runners possess enhanced BMD associated with an “advantageous” genetic predisposition, via a potential gene-physical activity interaction.METHODS:Age- and weight-adjusted total BMD (TBMD) and leg BMD (LBMD) measured via Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry of 67 high-level Caucasian marathon runners (males < 2 h 45 min, n = 37; females < 3 15 min, n = 30) was compared with 40 male and 26 female non-athletes. LRP5 rs3736228, TNFRSF11B rs4355801, VDR rs2228570, WNT16 rs3801387 and AXIN1 rs9921222 variants were then investigated singularly, and collectively, as a total genotype score (TGS) via multivariate analysis of variance in a subgroup of this cohort (male runners n = 19, controls n = 26; female runners n = 17, controls n = 14). RESULTS:Male runners had higher TBMD (1.34 vs 1.28 g/cm2; P=0.02) and LBMD (1.53 vs 1.42 g/cm2; P=<0.01) than non-athletes. Female runners had higher LBMD than non-athletes (1.30 vs 1.22 g/cm2; P=0.02) but not TBMD (1.23 vs 1.18 g/cm2; P=0.22). An interaction (P=0.047) was observed between VDR rs2228570 genotype and group regarding LBMD in males: ff genotype runners had 0.02 g/cm2 higher LBMD than FF or Ff runners, but the FF genotype had the highest LBMD (1.45 g/cm2) amongst non-athletes. LBMD was also 0.12 g/cm2 higher in ff runners compared to ff non-athletes, whereas FF and Ff runners had 0.09 g/cm2 higher LBMD compared to their genotype-matched controls. No other interactions or variants, individually or collectively as part of a TGS, were associated with BMD (P≥0.11). CONCLUSION:High-level female runners possess higher LBMD but not TBMD in comparison with non-athletes whereas male runners possess both higher TBMD and LBMD than non-athletes. Consistent with prior literature, we observed higher BMD in VDR rs2228570 FF genotype in non-athletes, which may be due to increased biological activity associated with the F variant. However, our preliminary data suggest that the ff genotype may be associated with enhanced LBMD in male runners via a gene-environment interaction.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Managing hedgerows for nocturnal wildlife:Do bats and their insect prey benefit from targeted agri-environment schemes?

1. Mitigating the detrimental impacts of intensive farming on biodiversity requires the implementation of cost-effective conservation actions. Targeted agri-environment-schemes (AESs) to enhance populations of threatened species inhabiting farmland have been proposed for this purpose, yet their effectiveness for nocturnal wildlife remains unknown. 2. We assessed whether hedgerow management prescribed by targeted AESs to improve habitat conditions for the greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) in England may positively influence the species, the entire bat assemblage and the insect prey of bats. We specifically investigated the responses of bats (occurrence, activity, and species richness) and insects (biomass, abundance, and diversity) to time since last trimming (from 1 up to 10 years). We explored the mechanisms underlying the effects of AES via changes in trimming regime on bats. Moreover, we investigated the effects of landscape context on bats as we expected that highly mobile species would benefit further from landscape-scale management. 3. Bat species richness significantly increased with time since last trimming. Three bat taxa of major conservation concern in Western Europe substantially benefited from the targeted prescription, namely R. ferrumequinum, R. hipposideros and Plecotus spp. Insect-family richness and dipteran abundance were also significantly greater at hedgerows that were untrimmed for at least three years. The activity of more common bat species (i.e. pipistrelle bats) was not influenced by time since last trimming. 4. Changes in trimming regime strongly affected hedgerow height which directly and indirectly (by increasing prey abundance) influenced bat occurrence, activity and species richness along hedgerows. 5. The activity of highly mobile bat species was mainly associated with a range of landscape attributes. The amount of semi-natural grassland within 0.5 km of the sampling sites positively influenced R. ferrumequinum while the presence of urban areas negatively affected light-sensitive bat species. 6. Synthesis and applications. The implementation of targeted agri-environment-schemes can include effective measures to enhance bats and their insect prey in farmland. Although we highlight the success of current prescriptions on hedgerow management, we suggest that their effectiveness can easily be optimized by encouraging farmers to keep hedgerows untrimmed for longer periods (>3 up to 10 years). We also highlight that a multi-scale management approach is required to successfully promote bats in farmland