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In the comment on "Varves of the Dead Sea sedimentary record." Quaternary Science Reviews 215 (Ben Dor et al., 2019): 173-184. by R. Bookman, two recently published papers are suggested to prove that the interpretation of the laminated sedimentary sequence of the Dead Sea, deposited mostly during MIS2 and Holocene pluvials, as annual deposits (i.e., varves) is wrong. In the following response, we delineate several lines of evidence which coalesce to demonstrate that based on the vast majority of evidence, including some of the evidence provided in the comment itself, the interpretation of these sediments as varves is the more likely scientific conclusion. We further discuss the evidence brought up in the comment and its irrelevance and lack of robustness for addressing the question under discussion.
We are glad to introduce the Second Journal Club of Volume Five, Second Issue. This edition is focused on relevant studies published in the last few years in the field of resistance training, chosen by our Editorial Board members and their colleagues. We hope to stimulate your curiosity in this field and to share with you the passion for the sport, seen also from the scientific point of view. The Editorial Board members wish you an inspiring lecture.
In June 2019, more than a hundred plant researchers met in Cologne, Germany, for the 6th European Workshop on Plant Chromatin (EWPC). This conference brought together a highly dynamic community of researchers with the common aim to understand how chromatin organization controls gene expression, development, and plant responses to the environment. New evidence showing how epigenetic states are set, perpetuated, and inherited were presented, and novel data related to the three-dimensional organization of chromatin within the nucleus were discussed. At the level of the nucleosome, its composition by different histone variants and their specialized histone deposition complexes were addressed as well as the mechanisms involved in histone post-translational modifications and their role in gene expression. The keynote lecture on plant DNA methylation by Julie Law (SALK Institute) and the tribute session to Lars Hennig, honoring the memory of one of the founders of the EWPC who contributed to promote the plant chromatin and epigenetic field in Europe, added a very special note to this gathering. In this perspective article we summarize some of the most outstanding data and advances on plant chromatin research presented at this workshop.
Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represents a dysregulation of the mucosal immune system. The pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is linked to the loss of intestinal tolerance and barrier function. The healthy mucosal immune system has previously been shown to be inert against food antigens. Since the small intestine is the main contact surface for antigens and therefore the immunological response, the present study served to analyse food-antigen-specific T cells in the peripheral blood of IBD patients.
Methods:
Peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CD, with an affected small intestine, and UC (colitis) patients, either active or in remission, were stimulated with the following food antigens: gluten, soybean, peanut and ovalbumin. Healthy controls and celiac disease patients were included as controls. Antigen-activated CD4+ T cells in the peripheral blood were analysed by a magnetic enrichment of CD154+ effector T cells and a cytometric antigen-reactive T-cell analysis (‘ARTE’ technology) followed by characterisation of the ef- fector response.
Results:
The effector T-cell response of antigen-specific T cells were compared between CD with small intestinal inflammation and UC where inflammation was restricted to the colon. Among all tested food antigens, the highest frequency of antigen-specific T cells (CD4+CD154+) was found for gluten. Celiac disease patients were included as control, since gluten has been identified as the disease- causing antigen. The highest frequency of gluten antigen-specific T cells was revealed in active CD when compared with UC, celiac disease on a gluten-free diet (GFD) and healthy controls. Ovalbuminspecific T cells were almost undetectable, whereas the reaction to soybean and peanut was slightly higher. But again, the strong- est reaction was observed in CD with small intestinal involvement compared with UC. Remarkably, in celiac disease on a GFD only
antigen-specific cells for gluten were detected. These gluten-specific T cells were characterised by up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, IL-17A and TNF-α. IFN-g was exclusively elevated in CD patients with active disease. Gluten-specific T-cells expressing IL-17A were increased in all IBD patients. Furthermore, T cells of CD patients, independent of disease activity, revealed a high expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.
Conclusion:
The ‘ARTE’-technique allows to analyse and quantify food antigen specific T cells in the peripheral blood of IBD patients indicating a potential therapeutic insight. These data provide evidence that small intestinal inflammation in CD is key for the development of a systemic pro-inflammatory effector T-cell response driven by food antigens.
Editorial
(2020)
Xenikoudakis et al. report a partial mitochondrial genome of the extinct giant beaver Castoroides and estimate the origin of aquatic behavior in beavers to approximately 20 million years. This time estimate coincides with the extinction of terrestrial beavers and raises the question whether the two events had a common cause.
Climate change entails an intensification of extreme weather events that can potentially trigger socioeconomic and energy system disruptions. As we approach 1 degrees C of global warming we should start learning from historical extremes and explicitly incorporate such events in integrated climate-economy and energy systems models.
Several overlapping crises which affected the EU during the past ten years have recently aggravated. Especially the progressing refugee crisis, the persisting financial crisis and geopolitical turmoil in the EU's neighbourhood contributed to the rise of anti-EU movements and diverse articulations of Euroscepticism. Although public opinion and mainstream political analysis have easily identified right-wing populism as one of the most important drivers, it is still doubtful if it can be equated with Euroscepticism without further ado. To date it is by no means clear how and where Euroscepticism exactly originates.
PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of upright compared to supine MRI measurements to determine characteristics of the lumbar spine in AA with spondylolisthesis.
METHODS: Ten AA (n=10; m/f: 4/6; 14.5±1.7y; 163±7cm; 52±8kg) from various sports, diagnosed with spondylolisthesis grade I-II Meyerding confirmed by x-ray in standing lateral view, were included. Open low-field MRI images (0.25 Tesla) in upright (82°) and supine (0°) position were evaluated by two observers. Medical imaging software was used to measure the anterior translation (AT, mm), lumbosacral joint angle (LSJA, °) and lordosis angle (LA, °). Reliability was analyzed by the intra-rater correlation coefficient (ICC) and standard error of measurements (SEM).
RESULTS: Due to motion artifacts during upright position, measures of three participants had to be excluded. Between observers, AT ranged from 4.2±2.7mm to 5.5±1.9mm (ICC=0.94, SEM=0.6mm) in upright and from 4.9±2.4mm to 5.9±3.0mm (ICC=0.89, SEM=0.9mm) in supine position. LSJA varied from 5.1±2.2° to 7.3±1.5° (ICC=0.54, SEM=1.5°) in upright and from 9.8±2.5° to 10±2.4° (ICC=0.73, SEM=1.1°) in supine position. LA differed from 58.8±14.6° to 61.9±6° (ICC=0.94, SEM=1.19°) in upright and from 51.9±11.7° to 52.6±11.1° (ICC=0.98, SEM=1.59°) in supine position.
CONCLUSIONS: Determination of AT and LA showed good to excellent reliability in both, upright and supine position. In contrast, reliability of LSJA had only moderate to good correlation
between observers and should therefore be interpreted with caution. However, motion artifacts should be taken into consideration during upright imaging procedures.
Acute ankle sprain leads in 40% of all cases to chronic ankle instability (CAI). CAI is related to a variety of motor adaptations at the lower extremities. Previous investigations identified increased muscle activities while landing in CAI compared to healthy control participants. However, it remains unclear whether muscular alterations at the knee muscles are limited to the involved (unstable) ankle or are also present at the uninvolved leg. The latter might potentially indicate a risk of ankle sprain or future injury on the uninvolved leg. Purpose: To assess if there is a difference of knee muscle activities between the involved and uninvolved leg in participants with CAI during perturbed walking. Method: 10 participants (6 females; 4 males; 26±4 years; 169±9 cm; 65±7 kg) with unilateral CAI walked on a split-belt treadmill (1m/s) for 5 minutes of baseline walking and 6 minutes of perturbed walking (left and right side, each 10 perturbations). Electromyography (EMG) measurements were performed at biceps femoris (BF) and rectus femoris (RF). EMG amplitude (RMS; normalized to MVIC) were analyzed for 200ms pre-heel contact (Pre200), 100ms post heel contact (Post100) and 200ms after perturbation (Pert200). Data was analyzed by paired t-test/Wilcoxon test based on presence or absence of normal distribution (Bonferroni adjusted α level p≤ 0.0125). Results: No statistical difference was found between involved and uninvolved leg for RF (Pre200: 4±2% and 11± 22%, respectively, p= 0.878; Post100: 10± 5 and 18±31%, p=0.959; Pert200: 6±3% and 13±24%, p=0.721) as well as for BF (Pre200: 12±7% and 11±6, p=0.576; Post100: 10±7% and 9±7%, p=0.732; Pert200: 7±4 and 7±7%, p=0.386). Discussion: No side differences in muscle activity could be revealed for assessed feedforward and feedback responses (perturbed and unperturbed) in unilateral CAI. Reduced inter-individual variability of muscular activities at the involved leg might indicate a rather stereotypical response pattern. It remains to be investigated, whether muscular control at the knee is not affected by CAI, or whether both sides adapted in a similar style to the chronic condition at the ankle.
Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is not only an ankle issue, but also affects sensorimotor system. People with CAI show altered muscle activation in proximal joints such as hip and knee. However, evidence is limited as controversial results have been presented regarding changes in activation of hip muscles in CAI population. PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of CAI on activity of hip muscles during normal walking and walking with perturbations. METHODS: 8 subjects with CAI (23 ± 2 years, 171 ± 7 cm and 65 ± 4 kg) and 8 controls (CON) matched by age, height, weight and dominant leg (25 ± 3 years, 172 ± 7 cm and 65 ± 6 kg) walked shoed on a split-belt treadmill (1 m/s). Subjects performed 5 minutes of baseline walking and 6 minutes walking with 10 perturbations (at 200 ms after heel contact with 42 m/s2 deceleration impulse) on each side. Electromyography signals from gluteus medius (Gmed) and gluteus maximus (Gmax) were recorded while walking. Muscle amplitudes (Root Mean Square normalized to maximum voluntary isometric contraction) were calculated at 200 ms before heel contact (Pre200), 100 ms after heel contact (Post100) during normal walking and 200 ms after perturbations (Pert200). Differences between groups were examined using Mann Whitney U test and Bonferroni correction to account for multiple testing (adjust α level p≤ 0.0125). RESULT: In Gmed, CAI group showed lower muscle amplitude than CON group after heel contact (Post100: 18±7 % and 47±21 %, p< .01) and after walking perturbations ( 31±13 % and 62±26 %, p< .01), but not before heel contact (Pre200: 5±2 % and 11±10 %, p= 0.195). In Gmax, no difference was found between CAI and CON groups in all three time points (Pre200: 12±5 % and 17±12 %, p= 0.574; Post100: 41±21 % and 41±13 %, p= 1.00; Pert200: 79±46 % and 62±35 %, p= 0.505). CONCLUSION: People with CAI activated Gmed less than healthy control in feedback mechanism (after heel contact and walking with perturbations), but not in feedforward mechanism (before heel contact). Less activation on Gmed may affect the balance in frontal plane and increase the risk of recurrent ankle sprain, giving way or feeling ankle instability in patients with CAI during walking. Future studies should investigate the effect of Gmed strengthening or neuromuscular training on CAI rehabilitation.
Eccentric (ECC) exercises might cause muscle damage, characterized by delayed-onset muscle soreness, elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels and local muscle oedema, shown by elevated T2 times in magnet resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Previous research suggests a high inter-individual difference regarding these systemic and local responses to eccentric workload. PURPOSE: To analyze ECC exercise-induced muscle damage in lumbar paraspinal muscles assessed via MRI. METHODS: Ten participants (3f/7m; 33±6y; 174±8cm; 71±12kg) were included in the study. Quantitative paraspinal muscle constitution of M. erector spinae and M. multifidius were assessed in supine position before and 72h after an intense eccentric trunk exercise bout in a mobile 1.5 tesla MRI device. MRI scans were recorded on spinal level L3 (T2-weighted TSE echo sequences, 11 slices, 2mm slice thickness, 3mm gap, echo times: 20, 40, 60, 80, 100ms, TR time: 2500ms). Muscle T2 times were calculated for manually traced regions of interest of the respective muscles with an imaging software. The exercise protocol was performed in an isokinetic device and consisted of 120sec alternating ECC trunk flexion-extension with maximal effort. Venous blood samples were taken before and 72h after the ECC exercise. Descriptive statistics (mean±SD) and t-testing for pre-post ECC exercises were performed. RESULTS: T2 times increased from pre- to post-ECC MRI measurements from 55±3ms to 79±28ms in M. erector spinae and from 62±5ms to 78±24ms in M. multifidius (p<0.001). CK increased from 126±97 U/L to 1447±20579 U/L. High SDs of T2 time and CK in post-ECC measures could be due to inter-individual reactions to ECC exercises. 3 participants showed high local and systemic reactions (HR) with T2 time increases of 120±24% (M. erector spinae) and 73±50% (M. multifidius). In comparison, the remaining 7 participants showed increases of 11±12% (M. erector spinae) and 7±9% (M. multifidius) in T2 time. Mean CK increased 9.5-fold in the 3 HR subjects compared with the remaining 7 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The 120sec maximal ECC trunk flexion-extension protocol induced high amounts of muscle damage in 3 participants. Moderate to low responses were found in the remaining 7 subjects, assuming that inter-individual predictors play a role regarding physiological responses to ECC workload.
Eccentric exercises (ECC) induce reversible muscle damage, delayed-onset muscle soreness and an inflammatory reaction that is often followed by a systemic anti-inflammatory response. Thus, ECC might be beneficial for treatment of metabolic disorders which are frequently accompanied by a low-grade systemic inflammation. However, extent and time course of a systemic immune response after repeated ECC bouts are poorly characterized.
PURPOSE: To analyze the (anti-)inflammatory response after repeated ECC loading of the trunk.
METHODS: Ten healthy participants (33 ± 6 y; 173 ± 14 cm; 74 ± 16 kg) performed three isokinetic strength measurements of the trunk (concentric (CON), ECC1, ECC2, each 2 wks apart; flexion/extension, velocity 60°/s, 120s MVC). Pre- and 4, 24, 48, 72, 168h post-exercise, muscle soreness (numeric rating scale, NRS) was assessed and blood samples were taken and analyzed [Creatine kinase (CK), C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)]. Statistics were done by Friedman‘s test with Dunn‘s post hoc test (α=.05).
RESULTS: Mean peak torque was higher during ECC1 (319 ± 142 Nm) than during CON (268 ± 108 Nm; p<.05) and not different between ECC1 and ECC2 (297 ± 126 Nm; p>.05). Markers of muscle damage (peaks post-ECC1: NRS 48h, 4.4±2.9; CK 72h, 14407 ± 19991 U/l) were higher after ECC1 than after CON and ECC2 (p<.05). The responses over 72h (stated as Area under the Curve, AUC) were abolished after ECC2 compared to ECC1 (p<.05) indicating the presence of the repeated bout effect. CRP levels were not changed. IL-6 levels increased 2-fold post-ECC1 (pre: 0.5 ± 0.4 vs. 72h: 1.0 ± 0.8 pg/ml). The IL-6 response was enhanced after ECC1 (AUC 61 ± 37 pg/ml*72h) compared to CON (AUC 33 ± 31 pg/ml*72h; p<.05). After ECC2, the IL-6 response (AUC 43 ± 25 pg/ml*72h) remained lower than post-ECC1, but the difference was not statistically significant. Serum levels of TNF-α and of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were below detection limits. Overall, markers of muscle damage and immune response showed high inter-individual variability.
CONCLUSION: Despite maximal ECC loading of a large muscle group, no anti-inflammatory and just weak inflammatory responses were detected in healthy adults. Whether ECC elicits a different reaction in inflammatory clinical conditions is unclear.
History without borders
(2020)
The Research Data Policy of the University of Potsdam has been ratified by Senate on September 25, 2019 and published in Amtliche Bekanntmachungen “Official Notices” September 30, 2019. It applies to all researchers and research support staff.
The Recommendations for the Handling of Research Data at the University of Potsdam specify and complement the Research Data Policy of the University of Potsdam. They are aimed at all researchers and research support staff have been adopted by Senate’s Commission for Research and Junior Academics (FNK) on on October 9, 2019.
This record provides a non-official translation of both documents from the German original.