A pilot study comparing the metabolic profiles of elite-level athletes from different sporting disciplines

Background: The outstanding performance of an elite athlete might be associated with changes in their blood metabolic profile. The aims of this study were to compare the blood metabolic profiles between moderate- and high-power and endurance elite athletes and to identify the potential metabolic pathways underlying these differences. Methods: Metabolic profiling of serum samples from 191 elite athletes from different sports disciplines (121 high- and 70 moderate-endurance athletes, including 44 high- and 144 moderate-power athletes), who participated in national or international sports events and tested negative for doping abuse at anti-doping laboratories, was performed using non-targeted metabolomics-based mass spectroscopy combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis was conducted using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Differences in metabolic levels between high- and moderate-power and endurance sports were assessed by univariate linear models. Results: Out of 743 analyzed metabolites, gamma-glutamyl amino acids were significantly reduced in both high-power and high-endurance athletes compared to moderate counterparts, indicating active glutathione cycle. High-endurance athletes exhibited significant increases in the levels of several sex hormone steroids involved in testosterone and progesterone synthesis, but decreases in diacylglycerols and ecosanoids. High-power athletes had increased levels of phospholipids and xanthine metabolites compared to moderate-power counterparts. Conclusions: This pilot data provides evidence that high-power and high-endurance athletes exhibit a distinct metabolic profile that reflects steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative stress, and energy-related metabolites. Replication studies are warranted to confirm differences in the metabolic profiles associated with athletes’ elite performance in independent data sets, aiming ultimately for deeper understanding of the underlying biochemical processes that could be utilized as biomarkers with potential therapeutic implications

Evolutionary relationships between Rhynchosporium lolii sp. nov. and other Rhynchosporium species on grass.

Copyright: 2013 King et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are creditedThe fungal genus Rhynchosporium (causative agent of leaf blotch) contains several host-specialised species, including R. commune (colonising barley and brome-grass), R. agropyri (couch-grass), R. secalis (rye and triticale) and the more distantly related R. orthosporum (cocksfoot). This study used molecular fingerprinting, multilocus DNA sequence data, conidial morphology, host range tests and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the relationship between Rhynchosporium species on ryegrasses, both economically important forage grasses and common wild grasses in many cereal growing areas, and other plant species. Two different types of Rhynchosporium were found on ryegrasses in the UK. Firstly, there were isolates of R. commune that were pathogenic to both barley and Italian ryegrass. Secondly, there were isolates of a new species, here named R. lolii, that were pathogenic only to ryegrass species. R. lolii was most closely related to R. orthosporum, but exhibited clear molecular, morphological and host range differences. The species was estimated to have diverged from R. orthosporum ca. 5735 years before the present. The colonisation strategy of all of the different Rhynchosporium species involved extensive hyphal growth in the sub-cuticular regions of the leaves. Finally, new species-specific PCR diagnostic tests were developed that could distinguish between these five closely related Rhynchosporium species.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Evidence for the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

The purpose of this review was to assess the evidence for the use of HBOT to treat soft tissue injuries, including DOMS, and closed fractures. It was a report commissioned by City Football Services to help understand whether using HBOT was safe, effective, what parameters are required and what conditions could be treated using HBOT

The stellar and sub-stellar IMF of simple and composite populations

The current knowledge on the stellar IMF is documented. It appears to become top-heavy when the star-formation rate density surpasses about 0.1Msun/(yr pc^3) on a pc scale and it may become increasingly bottom-heavy with increasing metallicity and in increasingly massive early-type galaxies. It declines quite steeply below about 0.07Msun with brown dwarfs (BDs) and very low mass stars having their own IMF. The most massive star of mass mmax formed in an embedded cluster with stellar mass Mecl correlates strongly with Mecl being a result of gravitation-driven but resource-limited growth and fragmentation induced starvation. There is no convincing evidence whatsoever that massive stars do form in isolation. Various methods of discretising a stellar population are introduced: optimal sampling leads to a mass distribution that perfectly represents the exact form of the desired IMF and the mmax-to-Mecl relation, while random sampling results in statistical variations of the shape of the IMF. The observed mmax-to-Mecl correlation and the small spread of IMF power-law indices together suggest that optimally sampling the IMF may be the more realistic description of star formation than random sampling from a universal IMF with a constant upper mass limit. Composite populations on galaxy scales, which are formed from many pc scale star formation events, need to be described by the integrated galactic IMF. This IGIMF varies systematically from top-light to top-heavy in dependence of galaxy type and star formation rate, with dramatic implications for theories of galaxy formation and evolution.Comment: 167 pages, 37 figures, 3 tables, published in Stellar Systems and Galactic Structure, Vol.5, Springer. This revised version is consistent with the published version and includes additional references and minor additions to the text as well as a recomputed Table 1. ISBN 978-90-481-8817-

Exploring the disclosure decisions made by physiotherapists with a specific learning difficulty

Objectives To explore the disclosure decisions made in the workplace by physiotherapy staff with a specific learning difficulty (SpLD). Design & Setting An exploratory qualitative design was used, which was informed by the social model of disability. The research was undertaken in North West England. It is presented according to the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research. Participants A purposive sample of eight physiotherapists recognised as having a SpLD were recruited. All participants had studied on one of two programmes at a university in England between 2004-2012. Their NHS workplace experience was from across the UK. Data generation In-depth, semi-structured interviews were undertaken within the university setting or via telephone. Interviews lasted 40–70 minutes and were digitally recorded. An interview guide was used to direct the interview. Data analysis Interview data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Four participants were female. The mean number of years qualified as a physiotherapist was 4.5 years (SD = 2.27). Three themes were identified: ‘Disclosing during the workplace application’; ‘Positive about disabled people scheme’; ‘Disclosing in the workplace’. Conclusions Disclosure of dyslexia is a selective process and is a central dilemma in the lives of individuals who have a concealable stigmatised identity. As a consequence, physiotherapy staff with dyslexia may choose to conceal their disability and not disclose to their employer. In order for staff with dyslexia to get the support they need in the workplace, disclosure is recommended. A number of recommendations have been made to facilitate the disclosure process

Sensory processing and anxiety in central sensitisation pain

Background: Patients with non-specific chronic low back pain (NSCLBP) and central sensitisation (CS) have been shown to exhibit sensory processing alterations, somatosensory hypersensitivity and differences in the brain's emotional networks. The concept that the extent of CS pain might be related to the patient's own trait sensory processing and anxiety characteristics has not yet been explored. This presentation will cover the background of CS pain, sensory processing, particularly trait sensory sensitivity and its relationship to trait anxiety. There are overlapping physiological mechanisms in sensory sensitivity and the individual behavioural responses to sensory stimuli in populations with CS, anxiety and abnormal sensory processing profiles. A pilot study designed to explore this topic will also be presented. Pilot Study Objectives: To establish concept plausibility by 1) exploring the range of CS in NSCLBP patients and 2) determining potential relationships between CS pain, trait anxiety and trait sensory processing profiles Study Design: Cross sectional observation study Methods: Questionnaires were administered to N=21 NSCLBP in physiotherapy outpatient clinics in New Zealand. Excluded were those with predominantly neuropathic or nociceptive pain. Outcome measures: Central Sensitisation Inventory (CSI), Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile, State/Trait Anxiety Inventory (Trait section) and the Marlow Crown Sociable Desirability Questionnaire. Results: 76% (N=16/21) of respondents were classed as having CS pain, scoring ≥40 on the CSI. Of those with CS pain, higher CSI scores were associated with a) abnormal trait sensory processing profiles; b) higher trait anxiety sub-types and c) minimal low trait anxiety. Higher trait anxiety scores were associated with higher Sensory Sensitivity and Low Registration sensory profile scores and lower Sensation Seeking sensory profile scores