University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

The effect of different dynamic stretch velocities on jump performance.

Abstract: Dynamic stretching has gained popularity, due to a number of studies showing an increase in high intensity performance compared to static stretch modalities. Twenty-four males (age mean 21 ± 0.3 years) performed a standardised 10 min jogging warm-up followed by either; no stretching (NS), slow dynamic stretching at 50 b/min (SDS) or fast dynamic stretching at 100 b/min (FDS). Post-warm-up, squat, countermovement and depth jumps were performed. Heart rate, tympanic temperature, electromyography (EMG) and kinematic data (100 Hz) were collected during each jump. Results indicated that the FDS condition showed significantly greater jump height in all tests compared to the SDS and NS conditions. Further, the SDS trial resulted in significantly greater performance in the drop and squat jump compared to the NS condition. The reasons behind these performance changes are multi-faceted, but appear to be related to increases in heart rate and core temperature with slow dynamic stretches, while the greater increase in performance for the fast dynamic stretch intervention is linked to greater nervous system activation, shown by significant increases in EMG. In conclusion, a faster dynamic stretch component appears to prepare an athlete for a more optimum performance.

Loss in body weight is an independent prognostic factor for mortality in chronic heart failure: insights from the GISSI‐HF and Val‐HeFT trials

Abstract: Aims Uncertainties remain on the biological and prognostic significance and therapeutic implications of loss in body weight (W-LOSS) in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. We assessed whether W-LOSS added additional prognostic value to classical clinical risk factors in two separate and large cohorts of patients with chronic HF. The factors associated with W-LOSS were studied. Methods and results W-LOSS and estimated plasma volume changes were measured serially in the GISSI-HF (n = 6820) and Val-HeFT trials (n = 4892). In both studies, experiencing at least one episode of ≥5% W-LOSS during the first year of follow-up was considered a sign of wasting. In GISSI-HF, self-reported unintentional W-LOSS ≥2 kg between two consecutive clinical visits within 1 year was also considered a sign of wasting. W-LOSS occurred in 16.4% and 15.7% of the patients enrolled in GISSI-HF and Val-HeFT, respectively (unintentional ≥2 kg W-LOSS occurred in 18.9% in GISSI-HF). In multivariable analyses adjusting for a number of baseline covariates as well as for plasma volume changes, W-LOSS was found to be independently associated with mortality and adverse cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular outcomes, with a significant net reclassification improvement (cfNRI) and an increase in integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). W-LOSS was independently associated with several features representing the severity of HF, including baseline NT-proBNP and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in Val-HeFT. Conclusions W-LOSS was a frequent finding in the GISSI-HF and Val-HeFT trials, associated with multiple patient features, and added additional prognostic information beyond clinical variables of HF severity, including estimated plasma volume changes.

Optical Based Noninvasive Glucose Monitoring Sensor Prototype

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus claims millions of lives every year. It affects the body in various ways by leading to many serious illnesses and premature mortality. Heart and kidney diseases, which are caused by diabetes, are increasing at an alarming rate. In this paper, we report a study of a noninvasive measurement technique to determine the glucose levels in the human body. Current existing methods to quantify the glucose level in the blood are predominantly invasive that involve taking the blood samples using finger pricking. In this paper, we report a spectroscopy-based noninvasive glucose monitoring system to measure glucose concentration. Near-infrared transmission spectroscopy is used and in vitro experiments are conducted, as well as in vivo . Our experimental study confirms a correlation between the sensor output voltage and glucose concentration levels. We report a low-cost prototype of spectroscopy-based noninvasive glucose monitoring system that demonstrates promising results in vitro and establishes a relationship between the optical signals and the changing levels of blood–glucose concentration.

Autoinflammatory periodic fever, immunodeficiency, and thrombocytopenia (PFIT) caused by mutation in actin-regulatory gene WDR1.

Abstract: The importance of actin dynamics in the activation of the inflammasome is becoming increasingly apparent. IL-1β, which is activated by the inflammasome, is known to be central to the pathogenesis of many monogenic autoinflammatory diseases. However, evidence from an autoinflammatory murine model indicates that IL-18, the other cytokine triggered by inflammasome activity, is important in its own right. In this model, autoinflammation was caused by mutation in the actin regulatory gene WDR1 We report a homozygous missense mutation in WDR1 in two siblings causing periodic fevers with immunodeficiency and thrombocytopenia. We found impaired actin dynamics in patient immune cells. Patients had high serum levels of IL-18, without a corresponding increase in IL-18-binding protein or IL-1β, and their cells also secreted more IL-18 but not IL-1β in culture. We found increased caspase-1 cleavage within patient monocytes indicative of increased inflammasome activity. We transfected HEK293T cells with pyrin and wild-type and mutated WDR1 Mutant protein formed aggregates that appeared to accumulate pyrin; this could potentially precipitate inflammasome assembly. We have extended the findings from the mouse model to highlight the importance of WDR1 and actin regulation in the activation of the inflammasome, and in human autoinflammation.