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Journal of the International Society of... Oct 2020Despite a substantial body of research, no clear best practice guidelines exist for the assessment of hydration in athletes. Body water is stored in and shifted between... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Despite a substantial body of research, no clear best practice guidelines exist for the assessment of hydration in athletes. Body water is stored in and shifted between different sites throughout the body complicating hydration assessment. This review seeks to highlight the unique strengths and limitations of various hydration assessment methods described in the literature as well as providing best practice guidelines.
MAIN BODY
There is a plethora of methods that range in validity and reliability, including complicated and invasive methods (i.e. neutron activation analysis and stable isotope dilution), to moderately invasive blood, urine and salivary variables, progressing to non-invasive metrics such as tear osmolality, body mass, bioimpedance analysis, and sensation of thirst. Any single assessment of hydration status is problematic. Instead, the recommended approach is to use a combination, which have complementary strengths, which increase accuracy and validity. If methods such as salivary variables, urine colour, vital signs and sensation of thirst are utilised in isolation, great care must be taken due to their lack of sensitivity, reliability and/or accuracy. Detailed assessments such as neutron activation and stable isotope dilution analysis are highly accurate but expensive, with significant time delays due to data analysis providing little potential for immediate action. While alternative variables such as hormonal and electrolyte concentration, bioimpedance and tear osmolality require further research to determine their validity and reliability before inclusion into any test battery.
CONCLUSION
To improve best practice additional comprehensive research is required to further the scientific understanding of evaluating hydration status.
Topics: Absorptiometry, Photon; Blood Physiological Phenomena; Body Mass Index; Body Water; Dehydration; Drinking; Electric Impedance; Hematocrit; Hormones; Humans; Neutron Activation Analysis; Osmolar Concentration; Saliva; Serum; Sodium; Sports; Tears; Thirst; Urinalysis; Vital Signs
PubMed: 33126891
DOI: 10.1186/s12970-020-00381-6 -
BMB Reports Dec 2014Integrin-mediated cell adhesion is important for development, immune responses, hemostasis and wound healing. Integrins also function as signal transducing receptors... (Review)
Review
Integrin-mediated cell adhesion is important for development, immune responses, hemostasis and wound healing. Integrins also function as signal transducing receptors that can control intracellular pathways that regulate cell survival, proliferation, and cell fate. Conversely, cells can modulate the affinity of integrins for their ligands a process operationally defined as integrin activation. Analysis of activation of integrins has now provided a detailed molecular understanding of this unique form of "inside-out" signal transduction and revealed new paradigms of how transmembrane domains (TMD) can transmit long range allosteric changes in transmembrane proteins. Here, we will review how talin and mediates integrin activation and how the integrin TMD can transmit these inside out signals.
Topics: Allosteric Regulation; Cell Adhesion; Humans; Integrins; Protein Binding; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Talin
PubMed: 25388208
DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2014.47.12.241 -
Scientific Data Dec 2023The UCLA Cosmochemistry Database was initiated as part of a data-rescue and -storage project aimed at archiving a variety of cosmochemical data acquired at University of...
The UCLA Cosmochemistry Database was initiated as part of a data-rescue and -storage project aimed at archiving a variety of cosmochemical data acquired at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The data collection includes elemental compositions of extraterrestrial materials analyzed by UCLA cosmochemists over the last five decades. The analytical techniques include atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA) at UCLA. The data collection is stored on the Astromaterials Data System (Astromat). We provide both interactive tables and downloadable datasheets for users to access all data. The UCLA Cosmochemistry Database archives cosmochemical data that are essential tools for increasing our understanding of the nature and origin of extraterrestrial materials. Future studies can reference the data collection in the examination, analysis, and classification of newly acquired extraterrestrial samples.
PubMed: 38062064
DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-02807-7 -
Journal of Nutritional Science 2018Low concentrations of elements in food can be measured with various techniques, mostly in small samples (mg). These techniques provide only reliable data when the... (Review)
Review
Low concentrations of elements in food can be measured with various techniques, mostly in small samples (mg). These techniques provide only reliable data when the element is distributed homogeneously in the material to be analysed either naturally or after a homogenisation procedure. When this is not the case or homogenisation fails, a technique should be applied that is able to measure in samples up to grams and even kilograms and regardless of the distribution of the element. An adaptation of neutron activation analysis (NAA), called large-sample NAA, has been developed and proven accurate and may be an attractive alternative in food research and mass balance studies. Like standard NAA, large-sample NAA can be used to measure both toxic and trace elements relevant for nutrition.
PubMed: 29686864
DOI: 10.1017/jns.2018.6 -
Molecular Cancer Feb 2022Unlike autosomal tumor suppressors, X-linked tumor suppressors can be inactivated by a single hit due to X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). Here, we argue that targeted...
BACKGROUND
Unlike autosomal tumor suppressors, X-linked tumor suppressors can be inactivated by a single hit due to X-chromosome inactivation (XCI). Here, we argue that targeted reactivation of the non-mutated allele from XCI offers a potential therapy for female breast cancers.
METHODS
Towards this goal, we developed a dual CRISPR interference and activation (CRISPRi/a) approach for simultaneously silencing and reactivating multiple X-linked genes using two orthogonal, nuclease-deficient CRISPR/Cas9 (dCas9) proteins.
RESULTS
Using Streptococcus pyogenes dCas9-KRAB for silencing XIST and Staphylococcus aureus dCas9-VPR for activating FOXP3, we achieved CRISPR activation of FOXP3 in various cell lines of human female breast cancers. In human breast cancer HCC202 cells, which express a synonymous heterozygous mutation in the coding region of FOXP3, simultaneous silencing of XIST from XCI led to enhanced and prolonged FOXP3 activation. Also, reactivation of endogenous FOXP3 in breast cancer cells by CRISPRi/a inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. We further optimized CRISPRa by fusing dCas9 to the demethylase TET1 and observed enhanced FOXP3 activation. Analysis of the conserved CpG-rich region of FOXP3 intron 1 confirmed that CRISPRi/a-mediated simultaneous FOXP3 activation and XIST silencing were accompanied by elevated H4 acetylation, including H4K5ac, H4K8ac, and H4K16ac, and H3K4me3 and lower DNA methylation. This indicates that CRISPRi/a targeting to XIST and FOXP3 loci alters their transcription and their nearby epigenetic modifications.
CONCLUSIONS
The simultaneous activation and repression of the X-linked, endogenous FOXP3 and XIST from XCI offers a useful research tool and a potential therapeutic for female breast cancers.
Topics: Breast Neoplasms; Cell Line; DNA Methylation; Female; Forkhead Transcription Factors; Genes, X-Linked; Humans; Mixed Function Oxygenases; Proto-Oncogene Proteins
PubMed: 35130925
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01472-x -
Archaeological and Anthropological... 2023This paper, jointly written by participants of a workshop held in 2021, argues for an increased recognition and application of neutron activation analysis (NAA) in the...
UNLABELLED
This paper, jointly written by participants of a workshop held in 2021, argues for an increased recognition and application of neutron activation analysis (NAA) in the archaeology of the ancient Mediterranean. Discussing the methodological strengths and challenges, it highlights the great potential NAA has for collecting proxy data from ceramics in order to develop progressive concepts of archaeological research within and beyond the Mediterranean Bronze and Iron Age, pointing out opportunities to revisit long-held assumptions of scholarship and to refine visual/macroscopic provenance determinations of pottery. To take full advantage of NAA's strengths toward a better understanding of the socioeconomic background of ceramics production, distribution, and consumption, the paper emphasises the need for both interdisciplinary collaboration and basic data publication requirements.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12520-023-01728-1.
PubMed: 36789354
DOI: 10.1007/s12520-023-01728-1 -
Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2023Yeast may be regarded as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biosorbent for complex effluent treatment. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, and...
Yeast may be regarded as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly biosorbent for complex effluent treatment. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, and silver concentration on metal removal from silver-containing synthetic effluents using was examined. The biosorbent before and after biosorption process was analysed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and neutron activation analysis. Maximum removal of silver ions, which constituted 94-99%, was attained at the pH 3.0, contact time 60 min, and temperature 20 °C. High removal of copper, zinc, and nickel ions (63-100%) was obtained at pH 3.0-6.0. The equilibrium results were described using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm, while pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were applied to explain the kinetics of the biosorption. The Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order model fitted better experimental data with maximum adsorption capacity in the range of 43.6-108 mg/g. The negative Gibbs energy values pointed at the feasibility and spontaneous character of the biosorption process. The possible mechanisms of metal ions removal were discussed. have all necessary characteristics to be applied to the development of the technology of silver-containing effluents treatment.
PubMed: 37106585
DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10040398 -
MSystems Dec 2022The last 20 years have witnessed an explosion in publicly available gene expression and proteomic data and new tools to help researchers analyze these data. Tools...
The last 20 years have witnessed an explosion in publicly available gene expression and proteomic data and new tools to help researchers analyze these data. Tools typically include statistical approaches to identify differential expression, integrate prior knowledge, visualize results, and suggest how differential expression relates to changes in phenotype. Here, we provide a simple web-based tool that bridges some of the gaps between the functionality available to those studying eukaryotes and those studying prokaryotes. Specifically, our Shiny web application ESKAPE Act PLUS allows researchers to upload results of high-throughput bacterial gene or protein expression experiments from 13 species, including the six ESKAPE pathogens, to our system and receive (i) an analysis of which KEGG pathways or GO terms are significantly activated or repressed, (ii) visual representations of the magnitude of activation or repression in each category, and (iii) detailed diagrams showing known relationships between genes in each regulated KEGG pathway and fold changes of individual genes. Importantly, our statistical approach does not require users to identify which genes or proteins are differentially expressed. ESKAPE Act PLUS provides high-quality statistics and graphical representations not available using other web-based systems to assess whether prokaryotic biological functions are activated or repressed by experimental conditions. To our knowledge, ESKAPE Act PLUS is the first application that provides pathway activation analysis and pathway-level visualization of gene or protein expression for prokaryotes. ESKAPE pathogens are bacteria of concern because they develop antibiotic resistance and can cause life-threatening infections, particularly in more susceptible immunocompromised people. ESKAPE Act PLUS is a user-friendly web application that will advance research on ESKAPE and other pathogens commonly studied by the biomedical community by allowing scientists to infer biological phenotypes from the results from high-throughput bacterial gene or protein expression experiments. ESKAPE Act PLUS currently supports analysis of 23 strains of bacteria from 13 species and can also be used to re-analyze publicly available data to generate new findings and hypotheses for follow-up experiments.
Topics: Proteomics; Bacteria; Software; Genes, Bacterial
PubMed: 36259735
DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00468-22 -
Biological Trace Element Research Jun 2021In this study, two kinds of Artemisia plant, Artemisia campestris L. and Artemisia herba-alba Asso., collected from different locations in Djelfa province, Algeria, were...
In this study, two kinds of Artemisia plant, Artemisia campestris L. and Artemisia herba-alba Asso., collected from different locations in Djelfa province, Algeria, were subjected to an instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) in order to determine their essential and toxic elements for the first time. The obtained results for both types revealed the existence of twenty-one elements, namely, As, Ba, Br, Ca, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, Hf, K, La, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sm, Sr, Yb, and Zn, where, the elements K, Ca, Fe, and Na respectively showed a significant concentration. On the other hand, the tolerable daily intake (TDI) of the studied plants for an adult person per day was within the tolerance limits imposed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Hence, these findings might therefore be used to offer scientific basis for an optimum usage of the studied plants and so enriches the database of medicinal herbs.
Topics: Adult; Algeria; Artemisia; Humans; Neutron Activation Analysis; Sodium; Trace Elements
PubMed: 32862398
DOI: 10.1007/s12011-020-02358-7 -
Human Brain Mapping Sep 2022Previous studies have revealed that phonological processing of Chinese characters elicited activation in the left prefrontal cortex, bilateral parietal cortex, and...
Previous studies have revealed that phonological processing of Chinese characters elicited activation in the left prefrontal cortex, bilateral parietal cortex, and occipitotemporal regions. However, it is controversial what role the left middle frontal gyrus plays in Chinese character reading, and whether the core regions (e.g., the left superior temporal gyrus and supramarginal gyrus) for phonological processing of alphabetic languages are also involved in Chinese character reading. To address these questions, the present study used both univariate and multivariate analysis (i.e., representational similarity analysis, RSA) to explore neural representations of phonological information during Chinese character reading. Participants were scanned while performing a reading aloud task. Univariate activation analysis revealed a widely distributed network for word reading, including the bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, middle frontal gyrus, lateral temporal cortex, and occipitotemporal cortex. More importantly, RSA showed that the left prefrontal (i.e., the left middle frontal gyrus and left inferior frontal gyrus) and bilateral occipitotemporal areas (i.e., the left inferior and middle temporal gyrus and bilateral fusiform gyrus) represented phonological information of Chinese characters. These results confirmed the importance of the left middle frontal gyrus and regions in ventral pathway in representing phonological information of Chinese characters.
Topics: Brain Mapping; China; Humans; Language; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Reading
PubMed: 35545935
DOI: 10.1002/hbm.25900