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- Combs, Elizabeth K., et al.
(author)
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Physiological and Cognitive Performance in F-22 Pilots During Day and Night Flying
- 2021
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In: Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. - : Aerospace Medical Association. - 2375-6314 .- 2375-6322. ; 92:5, s. 303-311
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Many workers routinely transition between day and night shifts—including pilots, where night flights are commonly considered more stressful. The physiological toll from this transition is not fully understood, though fatigue is a factor in many aviation accidents. This research investigated the changes in physiological markers of stress and cognitive performance as F-22 pilots transitioned from day flying to night flying. methods: There were 17 fully-qualified F-22 pilots who took part in a 2-wk data collection using salivary swabs, wrist-worn activity monitors, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) inventory, and a go/no-go (GNG) test. results: No differences were found in comparing day and night flying on the GNG reaction time/accuracy, NASA-TLX scores, or sleep quantity. Cortisol levels were significantly higher than civilian levels in all experimental conditions and control days. Participants had higher than predicted cortisol levels postflight in the day-flying condition and lower than predicted cortisol levels postflight in the night-flying condition, relative to levels from control day patterns. We also found smaller changes in cortisol (pre- to postflight) in the day-flying condition for those with more F-22 experience. Finally, we found a negative correlation between Perceived Stress Scale scores and age of pilots (r 5 -20.72). discussion: We hypothesized that the night-flying environment would be more stressful, but our results disputed this claim. Our results suggest day flying elicits more of a stress response; however, a larger sample size is required to verify results. Preliminary findings of potential stress adaptation may suggest stress adaptation in the F-22 community needs further investigation.
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- Kerr, A. G., et al.
(author)
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The long noncoding RNA ADIPINT regulates human adipocyte metabolism via pyruvate carboxylase
- 2022
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The pleiotropic function of long noncoding RNAs is well recognized, but their direct role in governing metabolic homeostasis is less understood. Here, we describe a human adipocyte-specific lncRNA, ADIPINT, that regulates pyruvate carboxylase, a pivotal enzyme in energy metabolism. We developed an approach, Targeted RNA-protein identification using Orthogonal Organic Phase Separation, which identifies that ADIPINT binds to pyruvate carboxylase and validated the interaction with electron microscopy. ADIPINT knockdown alters the interactome and decreases the abundance and enzymatic activity of pyruvate carboxylase in the mitochondria. Reduced ADIPINT or pyruvate carboxylase expression lowers adipocyte lipid synthesis, breakdown, and lipid content. In human white adipose tissue, ADIPINT expression is increased in obesity and linked to fat cell size, adipose insulin resistance, and pyruvate carboxylase activity. Thus, we identify ADIPINT as a regulator of lipid metabolism in human white adipocytes, which at least in part is mediated through its interaction with pyruvate carboxylase.
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- Nasiri-Ansari, N, et al.
(author)
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Estrogen Receptor Subtypes Elicit a Distinct Gene Expression Profile of Endothelial-Derived Factors Implicated in Atherosclerotic Plaque Vulnerability
- 2022
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In: International journal of molecular sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1422-0067. ; 23:18
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the presence of established atherosclerosis, estrogens are potentially harmful. MMP-2 and MMP-9, their inhibitors (TIMP-2 and TIMP-1), RANK, RANKL, OPG, MCP-1, lysyl oxidase (LOX), PDGF-β, and ADAMTS-4 play critical roles in plaque instability/rupture. We aimed to investigate (i) the effect of estradiol on the expression of the abovementioned molecules in endothelial cells, (ii) which type(s) of estrogen receptors mediate these effects, and (iii) the role of p21 in the estrogen-mediated regulation of the aforementioned factors. Human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were cultured with estradiol in the presence or absence of TNF-α. The expression of the aforementioned molecules was assessed by qRT-PCR and ELISA. Zymography was also performed. The experiments were repeated in either ERα- or ERβ-transfected HAECs and after silencing p21. HAECs expressed only the GPR-30 estrogen receptor. Estradiol, at low concentrations, decreased MMP-2 activity by 15-fold, increased LOX expression by 2-fold via GPR-30, and reduced MCP-1 expression by 3.5-fold via ERβ. The overexpression of ERα increased MCP-1 mRNA expression by 2.5-fold. In a low-grade inflammation state, lower concentrations of estradiol induced the mRNA expression of MCP-1 (3.4-fold) and MMP-9 (7.5-fold) and increased the activity of MMP-2 (1.7-fold) via GPR-30. Moreover, p21 silencing resulted in equivocal effects on the expression of the abovementioned molecules. Estradiol induced different effects regarding atherogenic plaque instability through different ERs. The balance of the expression of the various ER subtypes may play an important role in the paradoxical characterization of estrogens as both beneficial and harmful.
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- Sandvik, U., et al.
(author)
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Does experience affect physicians’ attitude towards assisted suicide? A snapshot of Swedish doctors’ opinions
- 2022
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In: Ethics, Medicine, and Public Health. - : Elsevier. - 2352-5525 .- 2352-5533. ; 24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- IntroductionAssisted dying is a current and controversial topic that seems to be gaining more support among both physicians as well as the general public. This paper aims to provide a snapshot of Swedish physicians’ opinions regarding AS, including their opinion concerning experience and to evaluate whether a correlation between opinion and experience exists.Material and methodsA poll was conducted through a panel of members of the Swedish Medical Association. The panel is representative of the association's members regarding age and gender.ResultsThe response rate was 49% Of the respondents 41% stated that AS and/or euthanasia should be legalized. Doctors with great experience in working with dying patients express most strongly against AS and/or euthanasia. More than half of the respondents (54%) stated that AS if it would be legal, should be performed within specific health care units. Approximately the same proportion (48%) were willing to write a statement on health status, knowing that it would be used in decisions regarding AS. Similarly, 44% could not consider performing AS and 27% were indecisive on the question. A majority (41%) thought that a physician should be responsible for approving applications for AS.DiscussionA few more physicians express a positive attitude toward AS than against it, but many cannot express a certain opinion. In our material, no side in the “debate” for or against AS reaches the majority. The most junior physicians are the most uncertain ones.
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