The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production: theme issue introduction.

This theme issue collects together papers summarising the conceptual design of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP). In 2019, the UK government funded the first design stages of a prototype fusion powerplant based on a compact toroidal geometry, called STEP. The primary technical aims of STEP are to produce net energy, to be self-sufficient in tritium fuel and to demonstrate a maintenance regime that would extrapolate to appropriate availability for commercial powerplants.

Coronary angiotomography in patients with acute coronary syndrome without ST elevation.

Background: In patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) current clinical practice guidelines recommend coronary angiography for its study. This study aims to describe the role of coronary tomography (CT) in non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS).

Results: Patients over 18 years with a diagnosis of NSTE-ACS who did not meet high-risk criteria and consulted the emergency department of our institution were included.

Correction: Viral burden is associated with age, vaccination, and viral variant in a population-representative study of SARS-CoV-2 that accounts for time-since-infection-related sampling bias.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.

Viral burden is associated with age, vaccination, and viral variant in a population-representative study of SARS-CoV-2 that accounts for time-since-infection-related sampling bias.

In this study, we evaluated the impact of viral variant, in addition to other variables, on within-host viral burden, by analysing cycle threshold (Ct) values derived from nose and throat swabs, collected as part of the UK COVID-19 Infection Survey. Because viral burden distributions determined from community survey data can be biased due to the impact of variant epidemiology on the time-since-infection of samples, we developed a method to explicitly adjust observed Ct value distributions to account for the expected bias. By analysing the adjusted Ct values using partial least squares regression, we found that among unvaccinated individuals with no known prior exposure, viral burden was 44% lower among Alpha variant infections, compared to those with the predecessor strain, B.

Effects of co-ingesting glucose and whey protein on blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations, and gastric emptying, in older men with and without type 2 diabetes.

Aim: To investigate whether co-ingestion of dietary protein with, or before, carbohydrate may be a useful strategy to reduce postprandial hyperglycaemia in older men with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Materials And Methods: Blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations were measured for 180 minutes following ingestion of a drink containing 30 g of glucose (G; 120 kcal), 30 g of whey protein (120 kcal), 30 g of glucose plus 30 g of whey protein (GP; 240 kcal), or control (~2 kcal) in older men with T2D (n = 10, 77 ± 1 years; 31 ± 1.7 kg/m ) and without T2D (n = 10, 78 ± 2 years; 27 ± 1.

Transitioning between paediatric and adult healthcare services: a qualitative study of the experiences of young people with spinal cord injuries and parents/caregivers.

Objectives: Healthcare transition (HCT) interventions are pivotal to paediatric rehabilitation. However, there has been limited research focusing on HCT in young people with spinal cord injury (SCI). To date, little has been reported on key factors that may contribute to a positive or negative transition experience and what, if any, are the gaps in the transition process.

Cardiac magnetic resonance diagnosis of Fabry disease leads to incidental diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome: a case report.

Background: Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder resulting in deficient activity of alpha-galactosidase. Males are general more severely affected however heterozygous females can variably express the disease depending on the degree of random X chromosome inactivation (Lyonization). We present a case where cardiac magnetic resonance diagnosis of late onset Fabry Disease leads to an incidental diagnosis of Klinefelter syndrome.

Comparative Effects of Co-Ingesting Whey Protein and Glucose Alone and Combined on Blood Glucose, Plasma Insulin and Glucagon Concentrations in Younger and Older Men.

The ingestion of dietary protein with, or before, carbohydrate may be a useful strategy to reduce postprandial hyperglycemia, but its effect in older people, who have an increased predisposition for type 2 diabetes, has not been clarified. Blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations were measured for 180 min following a drink containing either glucose (120 kcal), whey-protein (120 kcal), whey-protein plus glucose (240 kcal) or control (~2 kcal) in healthy younger (n = 10, 29 ± 2 years; 26.1 ± 0.

RclA is a highly active hypothiocyanite reductase.

Hypothiocyanite and hypothiocyanous acid (OSCN/HOSCN) are pseudohypohalous acids released by the innate immune system which are capable of rapidly oxidizing sulfur-containing amino acids, causing significant protein aggregation and damage to invading bacteria. HOSCN is abundant in saliva and airway secretions and has long been considered a highly specific antimicrobial that is nearly harmless to mammalian cells. However, certain bacteria, commensal and pathogenic, are able to escape damage by HOSCN and other harmful antimicrobials during inflammation, which allows them to continue to grow and, in some cases, cause severe disease.

Acute effects of whey protein, alone and mixed with other macronutrients, on blood pressure and heart rate in older men.

Background: Caloric supplements are increasingly used by older people, aiming to increase their daily protein intake. These high caloric drinks, rich in glucose and whey-protein in particular, may result in potential harmful decreases in blood pressure (BP). The effect of ingesting whey-protein with glucose and fat on BP is unknown.

Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Responses following Dietary Protein Intake in Older Men.

Postprandial hypotension (PPH) occurs frequently in older people >65 years old. Protein-rich supplements, particularly whey protein (WP), are increasingly used by older people for various health benefits. We have reported that 70 g WP drinks cause significant, and in some cases marked, falls in blood pressure (BP) in older men.

Rational Use of Protein Supplements in the Elderly-Relevance of Gastrointestinal Mechanisms.

Protein supplements are increasingly used by older people to maintain nutrition and prevent or treat loss of muscle function. Daily protein requirements in older people are in the range of 1.2 gm/kg/day or higher.

Effects of age on blood pressure and heart rate responses to whey protein in younger and older men.

Background: Postprandial falls in blood pressure (BP) are more common in older compared to younger individuals. The effects of protein compared to carbohydrates and fat on postprandial BP, and the relation to gastric emptying rates, are poorly studied.

Objectives: To determine the effects of a whey protein compared to a control drink on systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP), and heart rate (HR) in healthy younger and older men, and to relate these effects to gastric emptying.

Hyperbaric oxygen but not hyperbaric air increases insulin sensitivity in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Introduction: We have previously shown that hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) increased insulin sensitivity in men who were obese or overweight, both with and without type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to test whether this insulin-sensitising effect is seen in hyperbaric air (HA).

Methods: Men with type 2 diabetes who were obese or overweight were randomised to two groups: HBOT (n = 13) or HA (n = 11).

An overview of shared technical challenges for magnetic and inertial fusion power plant development.

Fusion energy is an area of active development and innovation worldwide, with many design concepts studied, each exhibiting a range of technical challenges. A significant portion of technical challenges will be unique for a given design concept; however, there are several overarching challenges that any design must address to some degree. These include tritium handling and the tritium cycle; materials and their survivability in the high-energy neutron environment of D-T fusion; neutronics and the validation of nuclear data; remote handling and maintenance activities; and integrated holistic approaches to fusion plant design.

Integrating research into a molecular cloning course to address the evolving biotechnology landscape.

The rapid development of molecular biotechnology presents a curricular challenge for educators trying to provide students with relevant coursework. A comprehensive biology education should also include opportunities for students to develop intellectual and technical skills through authentic research experiences. Integrating relevant and interesting research projects into their classes, however, can be a challenging task for instructors.

Whey Protein Drink Ingestion before Breakfast Suppressed Energy Intake at Breakfast and Lunch, but Not during Dinner, and Was Less Suppressed in Healthy Older than Younger Men.

Ageing is associated with changes in feeding behavior. We have reported that there is suppression of energy intake three hours after whey protein drink ingestion in young, but not older, men. This study aimed to determine these effects over a time period of 9 h.

Acute effects of whey protein on energy intake, appetite and gastric emptying in younger and older, obese men.

Background: Obesity is becoming more prevalent in older people. A management strategy in obese, young adults is to increase dietary protein relative to other macronutrients. It is not clear if this is effective in obese, older individuals.

Assessment of insulin sensitivity during hyperbaric oxygen treatment.

Introduction: Previous studies using a hyperinsulinaemic, euglycaemic glucose clamp have demonstrated an increase in peripheral insulin sensitivity in men with and without Type-2 diabetes mellitus on the third and thirtieth hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) session. In two studies using different techniques for assessment of insulin sensitivity, we investigated the onset and duration of this insulin-sensitising effect of HBOT.

Methods: Men who were obese or overweight but without diabetes were recruited.

Beyond the First Wave: Consequences of COVID-19 on High-Risk Infants and Families.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting care for high-risk newborns in ways that will likely be sustained beyond the initial pandemic response. These novel challenges present an urgent imperative to understand how COVID-19 impacts parent, family, and infant outcomes. We highlight three areas that warrant targeted attention: (1) inpatient care: visitation policies, developmental care, and communication practices; (2) outpatient care: high-risk infant follow-up and early intervention programs; and (3) parent psychosocial distress: mental health, social support, and financial toxicity.

Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions.

Freshwater cyanobacteria blooms represent a risk to ecological and human health through induction of anoxia and release of potent toxins; both conditions require water management to mitigate risks. Many cyanobacteria taxa may produce microcystins, a group of toxic cyclic heptapeptides. Understanding the relationships between the abiotic drivers of microcystins and their occurrence would assist in the implementation of targeted, cost-effective solutions to maintain safe drinking and recreational waters.

Quantitative biomonitoring of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) using the Sydney rock oyster (Saccostrea glomerata).

Increasing our understanding of the bioavailable fractions of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in an aquatic environment is important for the assessment of the environmental and human health risks posed by PACs. More importantly, the behaviour of polar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (polar PAHs), which are metabolites of legacy PAHs, are yet to be understood. We, therefore, carried out a study involving Sydney rock oysters (Saccostrea glomerata) sourced from two locations, that had been exposed to PAH contamination, within an Australian south-east estuary.

Effects of HO on growth, metabolic activity and membrane integrity in three strains of Microcystis aeruginosa.

The application of hydrogen peroxide (HO) as a management tool to control Microcystis blooms has become increasingly popular due to its short lifetime and targeted action. HO increases intracellular reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress and subsequently cell death. HO is naturally produced in freshwater bodies as a result of photocatalytic reactions between dissolved organic carbon and sunlight.