The evolution of IL-4 and IL-13 and their receptor subunits

Peer reviewed

Table 1: Station list with macrobenthos biomass results from the ocean floor

Among the Siberian shelf seas the Kara Sea is most strongly influenced by riverine runoff with nearly 1500 km fresh water discharge per year. This fresh water, discharged mainly by Ob and Yenisei, contains about 3.1 * 106 and 4.6 * 106 tons of total organic carbon per year, respectively (Gordeev et al. 1996). Little is known about the relevance of this organic material for biological communities, neither for the Kara Sea nor for the adjacent deep basins of the central Arctic Ocean. Aiming at elucidating the fate of fluvial matter transported from the rivers via estuaries into the central Arctic Ocean and the relative importance of marine organic matter being produced such information is crucial. Here we present calculations on the organic carbon demand of the Kara Sea macrozoobenthos based on measured biomass (total wet weight [ww] per 0.25 m ) from quantitative box corer samples and empirical relationships between biomass, annual production, annual respiration, and carbon remineralisation. This bottom-up approach may serve as a first estimate of the carbon remineralization potential of a given zoobenthos community (or area) as long as no data on in situ respiration rates are available. Our data basis comprises 54 stations sampled in summer seasons 1997, 1999 and 2000 in the Kara Sea at water depths between 10 and 68 m. The geographical area represented by stations analysed covers roughly 178 000 km**2, which is about one fifth of the total Kara Sea area. In this area, 290 species of invertebrate macrozoobenthos were identified with polychaeta, Crustacea, mollusca and echinodermata being the most abundant. For all stations analysed, mean biomass values ranged between 4.3 and 778.1 g ww/m**2 with organic carbon demands between 3.5 and 43.2 mg C/m**2/d. For the area of 178 000 km2 a preliminary total consumption of 1.4 * 10**6t Corg/y (equivalent to 21.5 mg C/m**2/d) was calculated for the macrozoobenthos. An extrapolation of our data would lead to an annual carbon demand of about 5-7 * 106 t for the whole Kara Sea macrozoobenthos (or 15.5-21.7 mg C/m2/d).

Thorium and Uranium analyses of sediment core GIK12310-4, NW African continental margin (Table 1,2)

The Th content of the sediment samples from "Meteor" core GIK12310-4 (3080 m water depth, off NW Africa) on a carbonate-free basis lies around the average of 12.4 ppm and is similar to the average content of the earth crust. On the contrary, uranium was found to be up to 3.5-fold enriched in the core section between 60 and 330 cm (within the Wuerm Glacial) where reducing conditions occur, due to deposition of authigenic uranium (9 µg/cm**2 1000 yrs.). The authigenic uranium content is correlated to the organic matter content (U/Corg ratio = 6 * 10**4). On the basis of the uranium content of the oxidized section uranium was split into a detritic and an authigenic component and the amount of supported ionium was calculated. From the profile of the specific Io-cxcess activity (= Io-total - Io-supported) with depth, average sedimentation rates of 3.3 ± 0.6 cm/1000 yrs. for the warmer stages and of 5 ± 1 cm/l000 yrs. for the cooler periods were estimated.

Physical oceanography from CTD during Maria S. Merian cruise MSM20/4 in spring 2012

With an extension of > 40 km**2 the recently discovered Campeche cold-water coral province located at the northeastern rim of the Campeche Bank in the southern Gulf of Mexico belongs to the largest coherent cold-water coral areas discovered so far. The Campeche province consists of numerous 20-40 m-high elongated coral mounds that are developed in intermediate water depths of 500 to 600 m. The mounds are colonized by a vivid cold-water coral ecosystem that covers the upper flanks and summits. The rich coral community is dominated by the framework-building Scleractinia Enallopsammia profunda and Lophelia pertusa, while the associated benthic megafauna shows a rather scarce occurrence. The recent environmental setting is characterized by a high surface water production caused by a local upwelling center and a dynamic bottom-water regime comprising vigorous bottom currents, obvious temporal variability, and strong density contrasts, which all together provide optimal conditions for the growth of cold-water corals. This setting - potentially supported by the diel vertical migration of zooplankton in the Campeche area - controls the delivering of food particles to the corals. The Campeche cold-water coral province is, thus, an excellent example highlighting the importance of the oceanographic setting in securing the food supply for the development of large and vivid cold-water coral ecosystems.

Caractérisation structurale de Miz-1 dans le cadre de la répression génique causée par le complexe c-Myc/Miz-1

Résumé : c-Myc est un facteur de transcription (FT) dont les niveaux cellulaires sont dérégulés dans la majorité des cancers chez l’homme. En hétérodimère avec son partenaire obligatoire Max, c-Myc lie préférentiellement les séquences E-Box (CACGTG) et cause l’expression de gènes impliqués dans la biosynthèse des protéines et des ARNs, dans le métabolisme et dans la prolifération cellulaire. Il est maintenant bien connu que c-Myc exerce aussi son potentiel mitogène en liant et inhibant différents FTs impliqués dans l’expression de gènes cytostatiques. Entre autres, c-Myc est en mesure d’inhiber Miz-1, un FT comportant 13 doigts de zinc de type Cys2-His2 (ZFs) impliqué dans l’expression de plusieurs gènes régulateurs du cycle cellulaire comprenant les inhibiteurs de CDK p15[indice supérieur INK4], p21[indice supérieur CIP1] et p57[indice supérieur KIP2]. Plus récemment, il fut démontré qu’en contrepartie, Miz-1 est aussi en mesure de renverser les fonctions activatrices de c-Myc et de prévenir la prolifération de cellules cancéreuses dépendantes de c-Myc. Ces différentes observations ont mené à la suggestion de l’hypothèse intéressante que la balance des niveaux de Miz-1 et c-Myc pourrait dicter le destin de la cellule et a permis d’établir Miz-1 comme nouvelle cible potentielle pour le développement d’agents anti-cancéreux. Malgré le fait que ces deux protéines semblent centrales à la régulation du cycle cellulaire, les mécanismes moléculaires leur permettant de s’inhiber mutuellement ainsi que les déterminants moléculaires permettant leur association spécifique demeurent assez peu documentés pour le moment. De plus, la biologie structurale de Miz-1 demeure à être explorée puisque qu’aucune structure de ses 13 ZFs, essentiels à sa liaison à l’ADN, n’a été déterminée pour l’instant. Les travaux réalisés dans le cadre cette thèse visent la caractérisation structurale et biophysique de Miz-1 dans le contexte de la répression génique causée par le complexe c-Myc/Miz-1. Nous présentons des résultats d’éxpériences in vitro démontrant que Miz-1 interagit avec c-Myc via un domaine contenu entre ses ZFs 12 et 13. De plus, nous démontrons que Miz-1 et Max sont en compétition pour la liaison de c-Myc. Ces résultats suggèrent pour la permière fois que Miz-1 inhibe les activités de c-Myc en prévenant son interaction avec son partenaire obligatoire Max. De plus, ils laissent présager que que Miz-1 pourrait servir de référence pour le développement d’inhibiteurs peptidiques de c-Myc. Finalement, nous avons réalisé la caractérisation structurale et dynamique des ZFs 1 à 4 et 8 à 10 de Miz-1 et avons évalué leur potentiel de liaison à l’ADN. Les résultats obtenus, couplés à des analyses bio-informatiques, nous permettent de suggérer un modèle détaillé pour la liaison spécifique de Miz-1 à son ADN consensus récemment identifié.

Validación de criterio concurrente del sistema de observación de tiempo de instrucción de condición física – SOFIT- para la medición de la actividad física durante las clases de educación física en escolares de 1º A 9º de Bogotá, Colombia

Determinar la validez concurrente del Sistema de Observación de Tiempo de Instrucción de Condición Física (SOFIT) a través de acelerometría, como método para medir los niveles de actividad física (AF) de los escolares de 1º a 9º durante la clase de educación física en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá, Colombia. Estudio transversal entre Octubre de 2014 y Marzo de 2015. La medición se realizó en tres colegios públicos de Bogotá. Participaron 48 estudiantes (25 niñas; 23 niños), entre 5 y 17 años, seleccionados de acuerdo al protocolo de SOFIT. El resultado se categoriza en porcentaje de tiempo en comportamiento sedentario, AF moderada, AF vigorosa, y AF moderada a vigorosa. Se validó utilizando como patrón de oro la acelerometría en las mismas categorías. Se realizó diferencia de medias, regresión lineal y modelo de efectos fijos. La correlación entre SOFIT y acelerometría fue buena para AF moderada (rho=,958; p=0,000), AF vigorosa (rho=,937; p=0,000) y AF de moderada a vigorosa (rho=0,962; p=0,000). Al igual que utilizando un modelo de efectos fijos, AF moderada (β1=0,92; p=0,00), vigorosa (β1=0,94; p=0,00) y AF de moderada a vigorosa (β1=0,95; p=0,00), mostrando ausencia de diferencias significativas entre los dos métodos para la medición de los niveles de AF. El comportamiento sedentario correlacionó positivamente en Spearman (rho=,0965; p=0,000), El sistema SOFIT demostró ser válido para medir niveles de AF en clases de educación física, tras buena correlación y concordancia con acelerometría. SOFIT es un instrumento de fácil acceso y de bajo costo para la medición de la AF durante las clases de educación física en el contexto escolar y se recomienda su uso en futuros estudios.

Research productivity levels of Chinese TEFL academics

Since China’s Economic Reform and its Open Door Policy, China has entered a new era of education (Adamson, 2002; Hu, 2005a). English has gained status as a language for international relations (Graddol, 1997) and international trade (Qu, 2007). Hence, in 2001, China’s Ministry of Education (MOE) required universities to offer 5-10% of their course units in English, particularly in the fields of information technology, biotechnology, finance and law (Jen, 2001; MOE, 2001). However, “the upgrading of national English proficiency, then, is predicted largely on the professional competence of the teaching force” (Hu, 2005b, p. 655). For TEFL academics, one component of this competence is the capacity to conduct research (Day, 1991; Shu, 2002). Indeed, research productivity has become essential for university success, and academics’ employment and promotional prospects. This study aims to investigate 182 Chinese TEFL academics’ research outputs across three Chinese higher education institutions through the research question: What are the research productivity levels of Chinese TEFL academics? A survey instrument was devised to gather TEFL academics’ calculations of research productivity and, in particular, the quality and quantity of research outputs over a five-year period (2004-2008). Descriptive statistics through SPSS were used to analyse data across research output fields (e.g., journal articles, conference papers). Academic status varied (n=182; teaching assistants 23.6%, lecturers 47.3%, associate professors 22.5%, and professors 6.6%) as did years of teaching (1-5 years 27.4%, 6-10 years 24.7%, 11-15 18.1%, 16-20 years 13.7%, > 21 years 15.9%). Results (n=182, male=27%, females=73%) indicated 18% had not produced any research in the five-year period. Indeed, more than 70% had produced no research in all categories except non-core journal articles and provincial projects. An overwhelming majority of TEFL academics had zero productivity in 10 of the 12 categories. Nevertheless, there were highly-productive TEFL academics, who had produced five or more pieces of research across the 12 categories. In addition, there was not much difference between sole and co-authored research outputs, except non-core journal articles where sole authored work was 20% higher than co-authored work. China’s desire for international competitiveness in education will require measures that facilitate higher levels of research productivity. These measures must include professional development, support and mentoring programs, and employment of personnel who can guide these processes. Research performance is an outcome, hence there is a need to understand Chinese TEFL academics’ perceptions about research, and experiences that may hinder and facilitate higher research productivity.

Development of the benefit finding in multiple sclerosis (MS) caregiving scale: A longitudinal study of relations between benefit finding and adjustment

Benefit finding is a meaning making construct that has been shown to be related to adjustment in people with MS and their carers. This study investigated the dimensions, stability and potency of benefit finding in predicting adjustment over a 12 month interval using a newly developed Benefit Finding in Multiple Sclerosis Scale (BFiMSS). Usable data from 388 persons with MS and 232 carers was obtained from questionnaires completed at Time 1 and 12 months later (Time 2). Factor analysis of the BFiMSS revealed seven psychometrically sound factors: Compassion/Empathy, Spiritual Growth, Mindfulness, Family Relations Growth, Life Style Gains, Personal Growth, New Opportunities. BFiMSS total and factors showed satisfactory internal and retest reliability coefficients, and convergent, criterion and external validity. Results of regression analyses indicated that the Time 1 BFiMSS factors accounted for significant amounts of variance in each of the Time 2 adjustment outcomes (positive states of mind, positive affect, anxiety, depression) after controlling for Time 1 adjustment, and relevant demographic and illness variables. Findings delineate the dimensional structure of benefit finding in MS, the differential links between benefit finding dimensions and adjustment and the temporal unfolding of benefit finding in chronic illness.

Effectiveness of current treatment approaches for benzodiazepine discontinuation : a meta-analysis.

Aims: To assess the effectiveness of current treatment approaches to assist benzodiazepine discontinuation. Methods: A systematic review of approaches to benzodiazepine discontinuation in general practice and out-patient settings was undertaken. Routine care was compared with three treatment approaches: brief interventions, gradual dose reduction (GDR) and psychological interventions. GDR was compared with GDR plus psychological interventions or substitutive pharmacotherapies. Results: Inclusion criteria were met by 24 studies, and a further eight were identified by future search. GDR [odds ratio (OR) = 5.96, confidence interval (CI) = 2.08–17.11] and brief interventions (OR = 4.37, CI = 2.28–8.40) provided superior cessation rates at post-treatment to routine care. Psychological treatment plus GDR were superior to both routine care (OR = 3.38, CI = 1.86–6.12) and GDR alone (OR = 1.82, CI = 1.25–2.67). However, substitutive pharmacotherapies did not add to the impact of GDR (OR = 1.30, CI = 0.97– 1.73), and abrupt substitution of benzodiazepines by other pharmacotherapy was less effective than GDR alone (OR = 0.30, CI = 0.14–0.64). Few studies on any technique had significantly greater benzodiazepine discontinuation than controls at follow-up. Conclusions: Providing an intervention is more effective than routine care. Psychological interventions may improve discontinuation above GDR alone. While some substitutive pharmacotherapies may have promise, current evidence is insufficient to support their use.

Improved image contrast of the bone-muscle interface with 3T MRI compared to 1.5T MRI [Abstract]

Virtual 3D models of long bones are increasingly being used for implant design and research applications. The current gold standard for the acquisition of such data is Computed Tomography (CT) scanning. Due to radiation exposure, CT is generally limited to the imaging of clinical cases and cadaver specimens. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) does not involve ionising radiation and therefore can be used to image selected healthy human volunteers for research purposes. The feasibility of MRI as alternative to CT for the acquisition of morphological bone data of the lower extremity has been demonstrated in recent studies [1, 2]. Some of the current limitations of MRI are long scanning times and difficulties with image segmentation in certain anatomical regions due to poor contrast between bone and surrounding muscle tissues. Higher field strength scanners promise to offer faster imaging times or better image quality. In this study image quality at 1.5T is quantitatively compared to images acquired at 3T. --------- The femora of five human volunteers were scanned using 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners from the same manufacturer (Siemens) with similar imaging protocols. A 3D flash sequence was used with TE = 4.66 ms, flip angle = 15° and voxel size = 0.5 × 0.5 × 1 mm. PA-Matrix and body matrix coils were used to cover the lower limb and pelvis respectively. Signal to noise ratio (SNR) [3] and contrast to noise ratio (CNR) [3] of the axial images from the proximal, shaft and distal regions were used to assess the quality of images from the 1.5T and 3T scanners. The SNR was calculated for the muscle and bone-marrow in the axial images. The CNR was calculated for the muscle to cortex and cortex to bone marrow interfaces, respectively. --------- Preliminary results (one volunteer) show that the SNR of muscle for the shaft and distal regions was higher in 3T images (11.65 and 17.60) than 1.5T images (8.12 and 8.11). For the proximal region the SNR of muscles was higher in 1.5T images (7.52) than 3T images (6.78). The SNR of bone marrow was slightly higher in 1.5T images for both proximal and shaft regions, while it was lower in the distal region compared to 3T images. The CNR between muscle and bone of all three regions was higher in 3T images (4.14, 6.55 and 12.99) than in 1.5T images (2.49, 3.25 and 9.89). The CNR between bone-marrow and bone was slightly higher in 1.5T images (4.87, 12.89 and 10.07) compared to 3T images (3.74, 10.83 and 10.15). These results show that the 3T images generated higher contrast between bone and the muscle tissue than the 1.5T images. It is expected that this improvement of image contrast will significantly reduce the time required for the mainly manual segmentation of the MR images. Future work will focus on optimizing the 3T imaging protocol for reducing chemical shift and susceptibility artifacts.

Validity of the Waterlow screening tool and risks for pressure injury in acute care

Objectives: To assess the validity of the Waterlow screening tool in a cohort of internal medicine patients and to identify factors contributing to pressure injury. Design: Longitudinal cohort study Setting: A tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Australia Participants: 274 patients admitted through the Emergency Department or outpatient clinics and expected to remain in hospital for at least three days were included in the study. The mean age was 65.3 years. Interventions: Patients were screened on admission using the Waterlow screening tool. Every second day, their pressure ulcer status was monitored and recorded. Main outcome measures: Pressure ulcer incidence Results: Fifteen participants (5.5%) had an existing pressure ulcer and a further 12 (4.4%) developed a pressure ulcer during their hospital stay. Sensitivity of the Waterlow scale was 0.67, (95% CI: 0.35 to 0.88); specificity 0.79, (95% CI: 0.73 to 0.85); PPV 0.13, (95% CI: 0.07 to 0.24); NPV 0.98, (95% CI: 0.94 to 0.99). Conclusion: This study provides further evidence of the poor predictive validity of the Waterlow scale. A suitably powered randomised controlled trial is urgently needed to provide definitive evidence about the usefulness of the Waterlow scale compared with other screening tools and with clinical judgement.

Expected values for pedometer-determined physical activity in youth

This review assembles pedometry literature focused on youth, with particular attention to expected values for habitual, school day, physical education class, recess, lunch break, out-of-school, weekend, and vacation activity. From 31 studies published since 1999, we constructed a youth habitual activity step-curve that indicates: (a) from ages 6 to 18 years, boys typically take more steps per day than girls; (b) for both sexes the youngest age groups appear to take fewer steps per day than those immediately older; and (c) from a young age, boys decline more in steps per day to become move consistent with girls at older ages. Additional studies revealed that boys take approximately 42-49% of daily steps during the school day; girls take 41-47%. Steps taken during physical education class contribute to total steps per day by 8.7-23.7% in boys and 11.4-17.2% in girls. Recess represents 8-11% and lunch break represents 15-16% of total steps per day. After-school activity contributes approximately 47-56% of total steps per day for boys and 47-59% for girls. Weekdays range from approximately 12,000 to 16,000 steps per day in boys and 10,000 to 14,000 steps per day in girls. The corresponding values for weekend days are 12,000-13,000 steps per day in boys and 10,000-12,000 steps per day in girls.