Heart rate variability during high-intensity exercise

The aim of this paper is to describe and analyse the behaviour of heart rate variability (HRV) during constant-load, high-intensity exercise using a time frequency analysis (Wavelet Transform). Eleven elite cyclists took part in the study (age: 18.6±3.0 years; VO_2max: 4.88±0.61 litres·min^?1). Initially, all subjects performed an incremental cycloergometer test to determine load power in a constant load-test (379.55±36.02 W; 89.0%). HRV declined dramatically from the start of testing (p <0.05). The behaviour of power spectral density within the LF band mirrored that of total energy, recording a significant decrease from the outset LF peaks fell rapidly thereafter, remaining stable until the end of the test. HF-VHF fell sharply in the first 20 to 30 seconds. The relative weighting (%) of HF-VHF was inverted with the onset of fatigue, [1.6% at the start, 7.1 (p <0.05) at the end of the first phase, and 43.1% (p <0.05) at the end of the test]. HF-VHF_peak displayed three phases: a moderate initial increase, followed by a slight fall, thereafter increasing to the end of the test. The LF/HF-VHF ratio increased at the start, later falling progressively until the end of the first phase and remaining around minimal values until the end of the test.     

OGG1 initiates age-dependent CAG trinucleotide expansion in somatic cells

Although oxidative damage has long been associated with ageing and neurological disease, mechanistic connections of oxidation to these phenotypes have remained elusive. Here we show that the age-dependent somatic mutation associated with Huntington's disease occurs in the process of removing oxidized base lesions, and is remarkably dependent on a single base excision repair enzyme, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (OGG1). Both in vivo and in vitro results support a 'toxic oxidation' model in which OGG1 initiates an escalating oxidation-excision cycle that leads to progressive age-dependent expansion. Age-dependent CAG expansion provides a direct molecular link between oxidative damage and toxicity in post-mitotic neurons through a DNA damage response, and error-prone repair of single-strand breaks.     

Locomotor kinematics of the gecko （Tokay gecko） upon challenge with various inclines

Tokay geckos are skillful climbers and are able to negotiate difficult terrain such as steep slopes and overhanging inclines without losing their foothold. Here, we present data on the changes in locomotor kinematics when geckos are challenged to walk on various inclined surfaces. We trained individual geckos to move along a platform which can be tilted to simulate different slopes. The animals were filmed using a high-speed video camera. The results showed that their speed decreased with increasing slope angle, and their speed on the steep and inverted slopes （sloped angle 〉60~） decreased at a faster rate than on the shallow slopes （sloped angle 〈60~）. The geckos＇ stride length was much greater on the shallow slopes compared to the inverted slopes. The influence of stride length and stride frequency on speed was different when the geckos moved across different slopes. There are significant differences duty factor, which varied from 0.54 when wall climbing （90° slope） to 0.84 when walking on the ceiling （180° slope）. The mechanisms revealed this study will improve our understanding of control strategies in kinematics and inspire the design of robots with greater mobility.     

Nucleation and growth of fibres and gel formation in sickle cell haemoglobin

Deoxygenated sickle haemoglobin polymerizes into long 210-A diameter fibres that distort and decrease the deformability of red blood cells, and cause sickle cell disease. The fibres consist of seven intertwined double strands. They can form birefringent nematic liquid crystals (tactoids) and spherulites. Rheologically, the system behaves as a gel. The equilibria show a phase separation and a solubility. The reaction kinetics show a delay time, are then roughly exponential and are highly dependent on concentration and temperature, and accord with the double nucleation model. But these conclusions are derived from macroscopic data, without direct observation of individual fibres. We have now used non-invasive video-enhanced differential interference contrast (DIC) and dark-field microscopy to observe nucleation, growth and interaction of sickle deoxyhaemoglobin fibres in real time. The fibres originate both from centres that produce many radially distributed fibres and on the surface of pre-existing fibres, from which they then branch. The resulting network is cross-linked and dynamic in that it is flexible and continues to grow and cross-link. Our results support most aspects of the double nucleation model.     

Genome sequence and comparative analysis of the model rodent malaria parasite Plasmodium yoelii yoelii

Species of malaria parasite that infect rodents have long been used as models for malaria disease research. Here we report the whole-genome shotgun sequence of one species, Plasmodium yoelii yoelii, and comparative studies with the genome of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum clone 3D7. A synteny map of 2,212 P. y. yoelii contiguous DNA sequences (contigs) aligned to 14 P. falciparum chromosomes reveals marked conservation of gene synteny within the body of each chromosome. Of about 5,300 P. falciparum genes, more than 3,300 P. y. yoelii orthologues of predominantly metabolic function were identified. Over 800 copies of a variant antigen gene located in subtelomeric regions were found. This is the first genome sequence of a model eukaryotic parasite, and it provides insight into the use of such systems in the modelling of Plasmodium biology and disease.