The Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein SmD1 Interplays with Splicing, RNA Quality Control, and Posttranscriptional Gene Silencing in Arabidopsis

RNA quality control (RQC) eliminates aberrant RNAs based on their atypical structure, whereas posttranscriptional gene silencing (PTGS) eliminates both aberrant and functional RNAs through the sequence-specific action of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs). The Arabidopsis thaliana mutant smd1b was identified in a genetic screen for PTGS deficiency, revealing the involvement of SmD1, a component of the Smith (Sm) complex, in PTGS. The smd1a and smd1b single mutants are viable, but the smd1a smd1b double mutant is embryo-lethal, indicating that SmD1 function is essential. SmD1b resides in nucleoli and nucleoplasmic speckles, colocalizing with the splicing-related factor SR34. Consistent with this, the smd1b mutant exhibits intron retention at certain endogenous mRNAs. SmD1 binds to RNAs transcribed from silenced transgenes but not nonsilenced ones, indicating a direct role in PTGS. Yet, mutations in the RQC factors UPFRAMESHIFT3, EXORIBONUCLEASE2 (XRN2), XRN3, and XRN4 restore PTGS in smd1b, indicating that SmD1 is not essential for but rather facilitates PTGS. Moreover, the smd1b mtr4 double mutant is embryo-lethal, suggesting that SmD1 is essential for mRNA TRANSPORT REGULATOR4-dependent RQC. These results indicate that SmD1 interplays with splicing, RQC, and PTGS. We propose that SmD1 facilitates PTGS by protecting transgene-derived aberrant RNAs from degradation by RQC in the nucleus, allowing sufficient amounts to enter cytoplasmic siRNA bodies to activate PTGS

Aerobic training protects cardiac function during advancing age: a meta-analysis of four decades of controlled studies

In contrast to younger athletes, there is comparatively less literature examining cardiac structure and function in older athletes. However, a progressive accumulation of studies during the past four decades offers a body of literature worthy of systematic scrutiny. We conducted a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of controlled echocardiography studies comparing left ventricular (LV) structure and function in aerobically trained older athletes (> 45 years) with age-matched untrained controls, in addition to investigating the influence of chronological age. statistic. , 95% CI 0.05-1.86, p = 0.04). Meta-regression for chronological age identified that athlete-control differences, in the main, are maintained during advancing age. Athletic older men have larger cardiac dimensions and enjoy more favourable cardiac function than healthy, non-athletic counterparts. Notably, the athlete groups maintain these effects during chronological ageing

The Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery for monitoring and surveillance among children and adolescents:A modified Delphi consensus project with 169 experts from 50 countries and territories

Background: Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence is associated with a variety of health outcomes and is a powerful marker of current and future health. However, inconsistencies in tests and protocols limit international monitoring and surveillance. The objective of the study was to seek international consensus on a proposed, evidence-informed, Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery and protocols for health monitoring and surveillance in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Methods: We conducted an international modified Delphi study to evaluate the level of agreement with a proposed, evidence-based, YFIT of core health-related fitness tests and protocols to be used worldwide in 6- to 18-year-olds. This proposal was based on previous European and North American projects that systematically reviewed the existing evidence to identify the most valid, reliable, health-related, safe, and feasible fitness tests to be used in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. We designed a single-panel modified Delphi study and invited 216 experts from all around the world to answer this Delphi survey, of whom one-third are from low-to-middle income countries and one-third are women. Four experts were involved in the piloting of the survey and did not participate in the main Delphi study to avoid bias. We pre-defined an agreement of ≥80% among the expert participants to achieve consensus. Results: We obtained a high response rate (78%) with a total of 169 fitness experts from 50 countries and territories, including 63 women and 61 experts from low- or middle-income countries/territories. Consensus (&gt;85% agreement) was achieved for all proposed tests and protocols, supporting the YFIT battery, which includes weight and height (to compute body mass index as a proxy of body size/composition), the 20-m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness), handgrip strength, and standing long jump (muscular fitness). Conclusion: This study contributes to standardizing fitness tests and protocols used for research, monitoring, and surveillance across the world, which will allow for future data pooling and the development of international and regional sex- and age-specific reference values, health-related cut-points, and a global picture of fitness among children and adolescents.</p

The Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery for monitoring and surveillance among children and adolescents: A modified Delphi consensus project with 169 experts from 50 countries and territories

Background: Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence is associated with a variety of health outcomes and is a powerful marker of current and future health. However, inconsistencies in tests and protocols limit international monitoring and surveillance. The objective of the study was to seek international consensus on a proposed, evidence-informed, Youth Fitness International Test (YFIT) battery and protocols for health monitoring and surveillance in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. Methods: We conducted an international modified Delphi study to evaluate the level of agreement with a proposed, evidence-based, YFIT of core health-related fitness tests and protocols to be used worldwide in 6- to 18-year-olds. This proposal was based on previous European and North American projects that systematically reviewed the existing evidence to identify the most valid, reliable, health-related, safe, and feasible fitness tests to be used in children and adolescents aged 6–18 years. We designed a single-panel modified Delphi study and invited 216 experts from all around the world to answer this Delphi survey, of whom one-third are from low-to-middle income countries and one-third are women. Four experts were involved in the piloting of the survey and did not participate in the main Delphi study to avoid bias. We pre-defined an agreement of ≥80% among the expert participants to achieve consensus. Results: We obtained a high response rate (78%) with a total of 169 fitness experts from 50 countries and territories, including 63 women and 61 experts from low- or middle-income countries/territories. Consensus (>85% agreement) was achieved for all proposed tests and protocols, supporting the YFIT battery, which includes weight and height (to compute body mass index as a proxy of body size/composition), the 20-m shuttle run (cardiorespiratory fitness), handgrip strength, and standing long jump (muscular fitness). Conclusion: This study contributes to standardizing fitness tests and protocols used for research, monitoring, and surveillance across the world, which will allow for future data pooling and the development of international and regional sex- and age-specific reference values, health-related cut-points, and a global picture of fitness among children and adolescents

A comparison study between fainter and non-fainter subjects during head-up tilt test using reconstructed phase space

International audienceThe analysis of cardiac dynamics based on time series extracted from cardiovascular signals (e.g. electrocardiogram, blood pressure) is relevant for differentiating between normal and pathological cases with feasible functions in the diagnosis and risk estimation. In this study, the dynamic behavior of cardiovascular time series is analyzed using reconstructed phase space to identify differences between subjects who developed syncope during head-up tilt test (fainters) and others who did not (non-fainters). Electrocardiogram and arterial blood pressure were recorded from 29 non-fainter and 28 fainter subjects. RR-interval, Amplitude of Systolic blood pressure (AmpS), peak amplitude of the first derivative of blood pressure (dPdt-max) and Pulse Transit Time (PTT) were extracted. Different features, such as the phase space density and indices derived from the recurrence quantification analysis, were computed from the phase space area of the above cited time series. In order to identify fainter and non-fainter groups, we selected the most pertinent parameters using Relief method to be used for further classification by K-nearest neighbor. The results show that the performance of the classification is approximately the same in all these time series with sensitivity (Se) near to 66.5% and specificity (Sp) around 62% during the first 5min of supine position. These values increase in the first 15min of tilted position to Se= 67% and Sp= 73%. Using an optimal fusion node, we demonstrate that the joint analysis of RR and dPdt-max provides a sensibility around 95% and a specificity of 87%. This analysis suggests that a bivavariate analysis enhances the classification performance, and help predict the outcome of the HUTT. © 2015 CCAL

La condition physique des jeunes en France : état des lieux et profil de la santé cardiovasculaire

International audienceBackground: Physical fitness is widely recognized as a powerful marker of health in children. The main aim of this study was to assess physical fitness levels in French children and to compare the findings to national reference standards. Secondary aims were to determine the prevalence of children below the minimum level of muscular strength needed to guarantee future favorable cardiovascular profile and to investigate physical fitness according to their sports club (SC) participation. Methods: Participants were 2061 French children (1054 boys, 1007 girls) 10.6 ± 0.9 years old [7.8–14.3]. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular strength, speed, and agility were tested. Results: Boys were physically fitter than girls, excepted for agility (P = 0.198). Normal weight children have significantly better results than overweight or obese children in all physical fitness tests (P &lt; 0.001). Underweighted children have a better CRF compared to normal weighted children (P &lt; 0.01). Our findings indicate that 22.4% of French boys and15.7% of French girls are at risk of future cardiovascular diseases (P &lt; 0.0001). This subgroup also performed poorly in all tests used (P &lt; 0.0001). Children participating in SC had a better physical fitness than children not participating in SC (P &lt; 0.0001). Conclusions: These new data enable to establish a new assessment point in the monitoring of physical fitness in French children. Our findings indicate that the physical fitness of French children must be improved to prevent cardiovascular diseases, especially in boys. Developing and implementing interventions and/or health promotion programs in French schools, in order to improve the health and physical fitness of these children is crucial. In addition, policies should also offer and facilitate access to SC for children.Position du problèmeLa condition physique est un déterminant important de la santé chez les jeunes. L’objectif principal était d’évaluer le niveau de la condition physique dans une large population de jeunes français par rapport aux normes françaises préexistantes. Les objectifs secondaires étaient d’évaluer la prévalence des enfants ayant un profil de santé cardiovasculaire à risque et d’évaluer l’influence d’une activité pratiquée dans une association ou club sportif sur la condition physique des jeunes.MéthodesDans cette population, 2061 enfants (1054 garçons, 1007 filles) âgés de 10,6 ± 0,9 ans [7,8–14,3] et provenant de 6 régions françaises ont été inclus. L’endurance cardiorespiratoire, la force musculaire, la vitesse, et l’agilité/coordination ont été évalués par des tests de terrain dans le contexte scolaire.RésultatsLes garçons ont eu significativement de meilleurs résultats que les filles, excepté pour le test d’agilité/coordination (p = 0,198). Les enfants normo-pondérés ont réalisé de meilleures performances que les enfants en surpoids ou obèses pour chaque composante de la condition physique étudiée (p &lt; 0,001). Les enfants dénutris ont eu significativement de meilleurs résultats au test d’endurance cardiorespiratoire comparés aux enfants avec un statut pondéral normal (p &lt; 0,01). Le pourcentage d’enfants ayant un profil de santé cardiovasculaire défavorable (à risque) était important, et il était plus élevé chez les garçons (22,4 %) par rapport aux filles (15,7 %) (p &lt; 0,0001). Les enfants déclarant être inscrits dans une association sportive ou un club ont réalisé de meilleures performances que les enfants non-inscrits pour chaque composante de la condition physique (p &lt; 0,0001).ConclusionsCes nouvelles données permettent d’établir un nouveau point d’évaluation dans la surveillance de la condition physique des enfants français. D’après nos résultats il est important de développer et de mettre en place des programmes d’intervention et/ou de promotion de la santé dans les écoles françaises, terrain de jeu essentiel, afin d’améliorer la santé et la condition physique de ces enfants. Il est également primordial de proposer et de faciliter l’accès aux associations sportives ou clubs sportifs (par une aide financière ou encore des actions de promotion des pratiques fédérales) afin que l’intégralité des enfants puissent en bénéficier