Low Activity Rates Research Articles

Synergistic effects of octahedral TiO2-MIL-101(Cr) with two heterojunctions for enhancing visible-light photocatalytic degradation of liquid tetracycline and gaseous toluene

The photocatalytic performance of TiO2 is severely restricted by its low photocatalytic activity and high charge-carrier recombination rate. In order to overcome these defects, a novel octahedral TiO2-MIL-101(Cr) (T-MCr) photocatalyst with type-II heterojunction and surface heterojunction is prepared by growth of TiO2 particles on MIL-101(Cr) via optimizing the synthesis conditions. The physicochemical, optical and photoelectrochemical properties of the samples are characterized utilizing several techniques, and its photocatalytic activity for liquid tetracycline and gaseous toluene degradation is evaluated under visible light irradiation. Particularly, the T-MCr-60 shows the outstanding photocatalytic activity. The improved photocatalytic performance of T-MCr-60 is ascribed to strong interfacial contact between (0 0 1) facets, (1 0 1) facets, and MIL-101 and the synergistic effects of two heterojunctions promoting efficient charge transfer. The possible photocatalytic mechanisms involving pollutants degradation pathway and charge transfer mechanisms during the process of pollutants degradation is also discussed.

Sexual risk behaviors and influencing factors among Muslim adolescents on southern border of Thailand.

To describe individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors and sexual risk behaviors among Thai Muslim adolescents. We recruited adolescents from four schools and one vocational college on the Southern border of Thailand during October 2018 to January 2019. We used password-protected online questionnaires for each respondent to protect their privacy. We recruited N=700 participants of which 9% were sexually experienced. Of those participants, many had never used a condom (41.3%) or considered taking contraceptive pills (71.4%). Moreover, 54% of them have had sexual intercourse more than once. Some had been infected with an STI (17.5%), and (14.3%) became pregnant more than once. Adolescents reported individual factors such as high religiosity (58.7%), and (47.6%) practiced Islam daily with no differences between boys and girls. Girls had significantly higher refusal of sex self-efficiency than boys (96 vs. 119.5, p<0.05). In the interpersonal factors, boys had more uninvolved parenting style, lower parental monitoring, higher parental approval of sex, and higher perceived peer norm than girls. The environmental factors besides cultural norms impacted girls and boys equally. We showed low rates of sexual activity, but in those adolescents who were sexually active we showed high rates of lack of knowledge and higher rates of sexual risk behaviors. Individual, interpersonal, and environmental factors all influenced sexual risk behaviors. We recommend comprehensive sexuality education that includes Islamic context for adolescents and their parents embedded in policy, religious, and community cultural practices.

Incipient evolution of the Eastern California shear zone through the transpressional zone of the San Bernardino Mountains and San Gorgonio Pass, California

AbstractThe nature of the connection between the Eastern California shear zone (ECSZ) and the San Andreas fault (SAF) in southern California (western United States) is not well understood. Northwest of San Gorgonio Pass, strands of the ECSZ may be migrating south and west into the convergent zone of the San Bernardino Mountains (SBM) as it is advected to the southeast via the SAF. Using high-resolution topography and field mapping, this study aims to test whether diffuse faults within the SBM represent a nascent connection between the ECSZ and the SAF. Topographic resolution of ≤1 m was achieved using both lidar and unmanned aerial vehicle surveys along two Quaternary strike-slip faults. The Lone Valley fault enters the SBM from the north and may form an along-strike continuation of the Helendale fault. We find that its geomorphic expression is obscured where it crosses Quaternary alluvium, however, suggesting that it may have a low rate of yet-undetermined activity. The Lake Peak fault is located farther south and cuts through the high topography of the San Gorgonio massif and may merge with strands of the SAF system. We find that this fault clearly cuts Quaternary glacial deposits, although the magnitude of offset is difficult to assess. Based on our interpretation of geomorphic features, we propose that the Lake Peak fault has predominantly dextral or oblique-dextral motion, possibly with a slip rate that is comparable to the low rates observed along other strands of the ECSZ (i.e., ≤1 mm/yr). Comparing the geomorphic expressions of these faults is difficult, however, given that the erosive nature of the mountainous landscape in the SBM may obscure evidence of active faulting. Based on these observations, as well as the occurrence of other diffuse faults in the region, we suggest that dextral strain is overprinting the actively convergent zone of the SBM, thereby creating a throughgoing connection between the ECSZ and the SAF west of San Gorgonio Pass.

AB0734 EFFICACY AND SURVIVAL OF APREMILAST IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND PSORIASIS IN REAL CLINICAL PRACTICE

Background:Apremilast (APR) is a phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor. APR has been demonstrated to be an effective and safe therapy in the treatment of active psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and psoriasis in patients who were intolerant of or unresponsive to synthetic Disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs).Objectives:To assess the effectiveness and survival rates of APR in a cohort of patients diagnosed with PsA and psoriasis with arthritis in real clinical practice.Methods:An open, longitudinal, prospective, descriptive study. A total of 80 patients diagnosed with PsA or psoriasis with arthritis were included. All patients received the starting dose of oral APR as per the Summary of Product Characteristics and a maintenance dose of 30mg every 12 hours. The following variables were collected: age, gender, years of evolution, prior treatment with DMARDs, swollen and tender joint counts (SJC, TJC), C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and presence of dactylitis, enthesitis and cutaneous psoriasis. Treatment response was evaluated in all patients at 6, 12 and 18 months follow-ups. Efficacy in patients with PsA was evaluated using the Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA)-based criteria: low activity (DAPSA 5-14) and clinical remission (DAPSA 0-4). To assess the level of enthesitis, Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) index was used. Efficacy in patients with psoriasis was evaluated using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)-based criteria: PASI-75 (improvement ≥ 75% of the baseline PASI). Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis.Results:Of the 80 patients included in our cohort: 42 patients were diagnosed with PsA and 38 with psoriasis. 57,1% of patients with PsA and 63,2% of patients with psoriasis were men with a mean age of 48.2 ± 11.1 and 48.2 ± 14.8 and mean duration of disease 3.5 ± 1.4 and 3.2 ± 2.6 years respectively. Most of the patients with PsA (93%) had cutaneous disease and enthesitis and dactylitis were present in 45% and 31% respectively. 95% of patients with PsA had received prior treatment with Metotrexate. At 6, 12 and 18 months, there was a statistically significant decrease from baseline in TJC, SJC and DAPSA scores. The decrease in the MASES index and the levels of PCR were not statistically significant (Table 2). According to DAPSA, at 18 months follow-ups, clinical remission rate was 77.8%, and low activity rate was 22.2%. 55% of patients with psoriasis reached PASI-75 at 18 months. APR survival rates at 6, 12 and 18 months was 67,85 %, 56,45% and 50,2 % in patients with ApS and 74,8%, 70,4% and 65,1 % in patients wiyh psoriasis.Conclusion:APR is an effective drug for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis, reaching statistical significance according to DAPSA, and with a high survival rate after 18 months of treatment.

Activity Level-Predation Risk Tradeoff in a Tadpole Guild: Implications for Community Organization Along the Hydroperiod Gradient

Increasing activity levels permit greater food intake for use towards growth and reproduction, consequently increasing predation risk via increased detection. Larval anurans are models to examine activity level-predation risk tradeoffs, as they occupy a variety of lentic habitats that impose constraints on the distribution and abundance of species. Ephemeral ponds have a low abundance and diversity of predators and as a result tadpole species tend to have high foraging rates for rapid development. Permanent ponds generally possess a greater diversity and abundance of predators and tadpoles inhabiting these locations tend to have low activity rates or chemical defenses to minimize predation risk. The objective of this research was to examine how interspecific variation in activity level and response to predation risk, corresponds to the distributions of tadpole species along the hydroperiod gradient. Furthermore, we examined the intraspecific variation in activity level among the species. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments in which we quantified baseline activity patterns and the change in activity after the addition of a predator or exposure to alarm cues, for 12 species of larval anurans native to East Texas. Species that maintained a high activity level generally occupied ephemeral ponds and species that maintained low activity levels generally occupied permanent ponds. Only one species (Gastrophryne carolinensis) decreased their activity level in the presence of predator cues or conspecific alarm cues. These results highlight this tradeoff can have consequences on the life histories of multiple species, providing insight into how it affects the organization of ecological communities.

Zn-induced layer exchange of p- and n-type nanocrystalline SiGe layers for flexible thermoelectrics

Fermi-level control in a polycrystalline SiGe layer is challenging, especially under a low thermal budget owing to the low activation rate of impurities and defect-induced acceptors. Here, we demonstrate the low-temperature (120–350 °C) synthesis of nanocrystalline p- and n-type Si1−xGex (x: 0–1) layers using the layer exchange technique with a Zn catalyst. Pure Zn formed p-type SiGe layers (hole concentration: 1020 cm−3 for x ≥ 0.8) due to the shallow acceptor level of Zn in Ge. Conversely, As-doped Zn allowed us to synthesize n-type SiGe layers (electron concentration: 1019 cm−3 for x ≤ 0.3) at the lowest ever temperature of 350 °C, owing to the self-organized As doping to SiGe during layer exchange. The resulting p-type Si0.2Ge0.8 and n-type Si0.85Ge0.15 layers exhibited the largest ever power factors (280 μW/mK2 for the p-type and 15 μW/mK2 for the n-type), for SiGe fabricated on a flexible plastic sheet. The low-temperature synthesis technology, for both p- and n-type SiGe layers, opens up the possibility of developing human-friendly, highly reliable, flexible devices including thermoelectric sheets.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) protects the oocytes from methyl parathion-induced cytoplasmic deformities by suppressing oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress

Methyl parathion (MP) is a commonly used organophosphorus insecticide in commercial farming. It is well known that MP exposure can affect the function of nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular and reproductive systems. In our previous report we have demonstrated that MP exposure results in poor oocyte maturation and defective embryo development which is mainly mediated through oxidative stress. The present investigation was designed to explore whether using a potent free radical scavenger like Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can help in reducing the detrimental effects of MP on the oocytes. For the study, germinal vesicle (GV) stage oocytes collected from the ovaries of adult Swiss albino mice were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM) in the presence or absence of MP (100 μg/mL) and/or EGCG (0.25 μM). MP significantly reduced the nuclear maturation rate, and resulted in poor cytoplasmic organization which was evident from the altered distribution pattern of mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and abnormal spindle organization. These changes were associated with significant elevation in oxidative stress and expression of ER stress markers such as 78 kDa Glucose regulated protein (GRP78) as well as X-box binding protein-1 (XBP1) in the oocytes. Further, the oocytes exposed to MP had lower activation rate and developmental potential. Supplementation of EGCG during IVM not only improved the nuclear maturation rate but also reduced the cytoplasmic abnormalities. These beneficial effects appear to be due to mitigation of oxidative and ER stress in oocytes. In conclusion, results of our study indicate that EGCG can help in alleviating MP-induced oocyte abnormalities.

18F-choline PET/CT driven salvage radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients: up-date analysis with 5-year median follow-up.

Salvage radiotherapy is generally considered as the standard treatment for biochemical relapse after surgery. Best results have been obtained with a PSA value < 0.5ng/ml at relapse, while 60-66Gy is deemed as standard total dose. Modern imaging, as dynamic-18F-choline PET/CT may identify site of recurrence, allowing dose escalation to a biological target volume. Hundred and fifty patients showed a local relapse at dynamic-18F-choline PET/CT at time of biochemical recurrence. High-dose salvage radiotherapy was delivered up to total dose of 80Gy to 18F-choline PET/CT positive area. Toxicity and relapse-free survival were recorded. Median PSA value at the beginning of salvage radiotherapy was 0.47ng/ml (range 0.2-17.5ng/ml). One-hundred and thirty nine patients (93%) completed salvage radiotherapy without interruptions. Acute gastrointestinal grade ≥ 2 toxicity was recorded in 13 patients (9%), acute genitourinary grade ≥ 2 toxicity in 2 patients (1.4%). One patient (0.7%) experienced late gastrointestinal grade 4 toxicity and 2 patients (1.4%) late acute genitourinary grade 3 toxicity. With a median follow-up of 63.5months, 5 and 7-years relapse-free survival were 70% and 60.7%, respectively. With a median follow-up of 5years the present study confirms that high-dose salvage radiotherapy to a biological target volume is feasible, with low rate of late toxicity and promising activity.

Promoting bone regeneration of calcium phosphate cement by addition of PLGA microspheres and zinc silicate via synergistic effect of in-situ pore generation, bioactive ion stimulation and macrophage immunomodulation

Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is an excellent bone graft material due to its self-setting, easiness to shape, good biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. However, low osteogenic activity and slow degradation rate of CPC severely influence its bone regeneration efficiency. Herein, zinc silicate (ZS) and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres were incorporated into CPC to overcome these issues. The addition of ZS obviously downregulated the expression of inflammatory-related genes (interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor α), while markedly upregulated the anti-inflammatory gene expression (interleukin-10). The incorporation of ZS significantly promoted the adhesion and proliferation of mouse bone marrow stem cells (mBMSCs). In addition, macrophage-conditioned ZS/PLGA/CPC extracts profoundly promoted osteogenic differentiation of mBMSCs, and evidently suppressed osteoclastogenesis of RAW264.7 cells. The optimum added amount of ZS was 10 wt.%. In vivo results also displayed that the addition of 10 wt.% ZS significantly improved bone repair effect of the composite. Therefore, the addition of ZS together with PLGA microspheres is a promising way for modifying the osteogenic activity and degradability of CPC via in-situ pore generation, promoting osteogenic differentiation and macrophage immunomodulation due to the simultaneous release of active silicon and zinc ions.

Pilot study of social cognitive theory variables as correlates of physical activity among adolescents with pediatric multiple sclerosis

PurposeAdolescents with pediatric onset multiple sclerosis (MS) engage in low rates of physical activity. Behavioral interventions that target physical activity are most successful if grounded in theory. This study explored social cognitive theory (SCT) variables as correlates of physical activity among adolescents with pediatric onset MS. ProceduresParticipants who had a diagnosis of pediatric onset MS, were between the ages of 14 and 18 years, and were fluent and literate in English were eligible. The electronic web-delivered survey included a demographics questionnaire, the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ), and measures of SCT variables. ResultsThe overall sample included 24 adolescents with pediatric onset MS (M:3,F:21) with a mean age of 16.1 years and disease duration of 2.6 years. The sample was predominately Caucasian (n = 14, 58%). Exercise planning (ρ=0.54), exercise outcome expectations (ρ=0.46), self-efficacy for overcoming barriers (ρ = 0.52), and exercise social support (ρ=0.58) were associated with GLTEQ scores. ConclusionsResearchers might develop behavioral interventions that target exercise outcome expectations, exercise planning, self-efficacy for overcoming barriers, and exercise social support for changing physical activity in pediatric onset MS.

Medieval European traditions in representation and state capacity today

Rich economies are characterized by the coincidence of, on the one hand, high state capacity and, on the other, well-functioning markets and the rule of law. They have states that are powerful and centralized and yet also limited. Furthermore, relatively low rates of shadow economic activity and tax evasion suggest that citizens perceive their states’ limitations to be credible. This suggests that a state’s ability to be credibly limited may facilitate its investments in state capacity. Consistent with this, we explore the potential link between historical traditions of representative governance institutions and state capacity today. We report that medieval and early modern representative assembly experiences positively correlate with higher tax revenues, smaller shadow economies, greater state control of violence and yet fewer state resources dedicated to violence. Relative to tax revenues, the evidence regarding shadow economies and violence is more robust to various controls and samples.

Epidemiological Features and Risk Factors for Acquiring Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Syphilis in HIV-Infected Patients in Shaanxi Province, Northwest China.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are at a higher risk for co-infection with Hepatitis B virus (HBV), Hepatitis C virus (HCV), and Treponema pallidum (TP; the agent causing syphilis) than the general population. The prevalence of HBV, HCV, and syphilis has geographic differences and varies from region to region among HIV-positive individuals. A retrospective study was carried out on HIV-positive individuals between June 2011 and June 2016 in Shaanxi Province. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses using stepwise regression analysis regarding risk factors for HIV–HBV, HIV–HCV, and HIV–syphilis co-infection. HBV–HCV, HCV–syphilis, HBV–syphilis, and HBV–HCV–syphilis co-infection rates were 1.7%, 2.2%, 2.6%, and 0.1%, respectively. The rate of ineffective hepatitis B vaccine immunization was as high as 30.2% among HIV-positive individuals. Ethnicity (OR = 31.030, 95% CI: 11.643–82.694) and HIV transmission routes (OR = 134.024, 95% CI: 14.328–1253.653) were the risk factors for HCV infection in HIV-positive individuals. Among the HIV-positive individuals with the antibodies of TP, the rate of homosexual transmission was also higher, but heterosexual transmission was lower (OR = 0.549 95% CI: 0.382–0.789) The HIV-infected patients in Shaanxi Province had the characteristics of low active detection rate and late diagnosis. The high rate of ineffective vaccination against HBV suggests a need for improved vaccination services.

Young people's lifestyle and frequency of physical activity – an original study

Abstract Introduction A healthy lifestyle, including healthy eating, frequent physical activity, abstention from recreational substances, appropriate amounts of sleep and restricted amounts of television and computer time have a positive impact on the development and health of adolescents. The aim of the study was to assess selected aspects of adolescent lifestyle with a focus on rates of physical activity. Materials and methods The study material included a questionnaire completed by 304 secondary school students. The answers were analysed with respect to the physical activity of the respondents and then grouped accordingly: group 1 consisted of respondents with a low rate of physical activity, group 2 with a moderate rate of physical activity and group 3 with a high rate of physical activity. Differences in the the percentages of healthy behaviour the groups engaged in was assessed using the Kruskal–Wallis ANOVA on ranks test. Post hoc, a 2-way test with Bonferroni correction was performed. A p value of &lt;0.05 was considered statistically significant for all analyses. Results The recommended number of 4–5 meals a day is consumed mostly by individuals from group 2 (52.94%) and to the least extent by those in group 1 (47.17%). The recommended daily consumption of fruit is mostly reported by respondents from group 3 (39.34%) and the least, by those from group 1 (26.42%). Subjects from group 2 are least likely to drink alcohol, which is harmful for one's health (26.47%); this group also includes the largest number of individuals who do not smoke cigarettes (69.12%). The most favorable behaviour with regards to sleep is displayed by subjects from group 3, in which 10.38% of participants slept for the recommended 8–10 h a day. Conclusions The majority of adolescents, regardless of the frequency of physical activity they undertook, had an unhealthy lifestyle. The most favourable lifestyle was led by subjects who performed physical activity between once a week and a few times a month.

Picking Up and Defending the Faith: Activism and Radicalism Among Muslim Converts in the United States

Muslim converts tend to be overrepresented in terrorist activity compared to fellow nonconvert Muslims. However, due to the low base rate of terrorism activity, there is a significant risk that this overrepresentation is a “false positive.” We therefore tested the prevalence of far more common, but potentially antecedent, cognitions to terrorism—activism and radicalism––among convert and nonconvert Muslims. We surveyed 356 American Muslim adults, of which 177 were self‐identified converts, with the Activism and Radicalism Intention Scale or ARIS. We found that converts as compared to nonconverts do demonstrate higher activism and radicalism intention scores. We also found that activism fully mediates the relationship between conversion and radicalism. This suggests that converts may be more likely to engage in radical behavior (such as terrorism) than nonconverts, but only because they are more likely to engage in activism than nonconverts. We discuss these findings in light of current psychology and political mobilization literature, then we offer suggestions for future research on the relationships between conversion, activism, radicalism, and terrorism.

Melatonin facilitates the coordination of cell growth and lipid accumulation in nitrogen-stressed Chlamydomonas reinhardtii for biodiesel production

In microalgae, the lipid accumulation under nitrogen stress is always accompanied by low photosynthetic activity and low growth rate, which adversely affects the total biomass and the lipid productivity. It is highly desirable to develop a practicable strategy for promoting lipid accumulation meanwhile minimizing the adverse effects under nitrogen stress. In this research, we investigate whether melatonin (MT, an antioxidant that protects against abiotic stress in plant cells) can mitigate the oxidative stress and enhance the lipid production in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii starchless mutants under nitrogen stress. The results of physiological and biochemical analysis indicate that exogenous MT weakens the nitrogen stress-induced oxidative damage by delaying the chlorophyll loss, activating antioxidases, reducing the lipid peroxidation. In addition, MT stimulates the biosynthesis of functional membrane lipids (monogalactosyldiacylglycerol, digalactosyldiacylglycerol and diacylglyceryl-trimethylhomoserine) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, increasing the cell response to nitrogen stress and enhancing the whole lipid biosynthesis. The 5 μM MT induces the increase of the total fatty acid methyl ester-lipid content by 35.4% (from 49.2% to 66.7% of dry weight), the biomass by 7.4% (to 0.92 g L−1), and the lipid productivity by 42.7% compared with the control groups without MT treatment. Moreover, we investigated the biodiesel properties of the lipids derived from MT-treated nitrogen-stressed cells, and the results suggest that the variation in fatty acid proportion induced by MT has little impact on the lipid's biodiesel properties. Thus, exogenous MT can facilitate the accumulation of lipids by enhancing the cellular antioxidant capability and mitigating the adverse effects of nitrogen stress.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of etanercept plus methotrexate vs triple therapy in treating Chinese rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the cost-effectiveness of etanercept plus methotrexate (ETN+MTX) compared to triple disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in treating Chinese rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.Methods:The 134 Chinese RA patients who were about to initiate ETN+MTX or triple DMARDs therapy based on treat-to-target strategy were consecutively recruited and categorized into ETN+MTX group (N = 49) or triple DMARDs group (N = 85). Treatment efficacy was assessed at month 3 (M3)/M6/M9/M12 after initiation of treatment. Also, 1-year treatment cost was evaluated, and cost-effectiveness analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted.Results:RA patients in ETN+MTX group exhibited similar disease activity and quality of life at each time point while elevated 28-joint disease activity score based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR) change (M0-M12) and low disease activity rate compared with triple DMARDs group. For 1-year treatment cost, ETN+MTX required increased drug cost, decreased other medical cost, and finally elevated total cost compared with triple DMARDs. Meanwhile, compared to triple DMARDs, ETN+MTX produced an additional quality-adjusted life year (QALY) of 0.015, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of ¥2,939,506.7 per QALY that was 53.1 folds of gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in China. More interestingly, sensitivity analysis revealed that the ETN price had to be reduced at least by 71.3% before ETN+MTX became cost-effectiveness compared to triple DMARDs.Conclusion:ETN+MTX is less cost-effective in treating Chinese RA patients compared with triple DMARDs.

Niektóre uwarunkowania aktywności edukacyjnej dorosłych

&lt;p&gt;Obserwowany od lat niski wskaźnik aktywności edukacyjnej dorosłych skłania do podjęcia refleksji nad przyczynami tego zjawiska – postawienia diagnozy, która mogłaby stać się kanwą działań zmierzających do likwidacji tych przyczyn. W artykule skoncentrowano się na próbie ukazania uwarunkowań aktywności edukacyjnej dorosłych. Uznano, że znaczącą rolę odgrywają tu dwa rodzaje czynników: (1) związane z poczuciem bezpieczeństwa: osobistego, pracy czy edukacyjnego oraz (2) związane z kapitałem kulturowym jednostki. Poczucie bezpieczeństwa identyfikowane jest przez pryzmat stanu środowiska bezpieczeństwa, statusu i sytuacji społecznej oraz kompetencji jednostki i poczucia kontroli na własnym życiem i losem, a także osobowości dorosłego. Stan środowiska bezpieczeństwa został ukazany w perspektywie społecznej poprzez powiększającą się strefę ubóstwa, rozwarstwienie i polaryzację społeczną, marginalizację i wykluczenie społeczne oraz dyskryminacyjne formy zatrudnienia, naruszające prawa pracownicze i malejący przyrost naturalny, zmuszający pracowników do przedłużania okresu zatrudnienia, szczególnie w sytuacji coraz większej niewydolności systemu zabezpieczeń społecznych. Zaproponowano spojrzenie na aktywność edukacyjną dorosłych przez pryzmat dominacji potrzeb rynku pracy, ale także wydłużającego się życia Polek i Polaków. Natomiast znaczenie kapitału kulturowego przejawia się w stratyfikacji społecznej: w społeczeństwach postkomunistycznych nabywanie kapitału kulturowego jest bowiem postrzegane jako droga do awansu społecznego, ponieważ o stratyfikacji społecznej nie decyduje zarówno odziedziczony kapitał ucieleśniony (inkorporowany), jak i uprzedmiotowiony (zobiektywizowany). W tej sytuacji największe znaczenie ma kapitał zinstytucjonalizowany, głównie w postaci sformalizowanego wykształcenia, potwierdzonego dyplomami uczelni. Ukształtowana w PRL ścieżka awansu, osadzona w wykształceniu, opierała się na antynomii: praca fizyczna versus praca umysłowa, z których to ta druga nobilitowała. Zdobycie wykształcenia, najlepiej wyższego, było substytutem nobilitacji opartej na tzw. starych pieniądzach czy budowanej przez pokolenia pozycji zawodowej.&lt;/p&gt;

Contribution of ROS and metabolic status to neonatal and adult CD8+ T cell activation.

In neonatal T cells, a low response to infection contributes to a high incidence of morbidity and mortality of neonates. Here we have evaluated the impact of the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial levels of Reactive Oxygen Species of adult and neonatal CD8+ T cells on their activation potential. We have also constructed a logical model connecting metabolism and ROS with T cell signaling. Our model indicates the interplay between antigen recognition, ROS and metabolic status in T cell responses. This model displays alternative stable states corresponding to different cell fates, i.e. quiescent, activated and anergic states, depending on ROS levels. Stochastic simulations with this model further indicate that differences in ROS status at the cell population level contribute to the lower activation rate of neonatal, compared to adult, CD8+ T cells upon TCR engagement. These results are relevant for neonatal health care. Our model can serve to analyze the impact of metabolic shift during cancer in which, similar to neonatal cells, a high glycolytic rate and low concentrations of glutamine and arginine promote tumor tolerance.

Physical activity and mortality in older patients with a pacemaker.

With increasing lifespans, patients requiring a pacemaker are older than they were in the past. Data regarding all-cause mortality in older patients implanted with a pacemaker are scarce. As physical activity is associated with a decrease in all-cause mortality, we investigated whether daily physical activity time, expressed as the activity rate determined by pacemakers, can predict all-cause mortality in older patients (aged ≥75 years) with a pacemaker. We retrospectively investigated the baseline characteristics, echocardiographic indices, laboratory data and pacemaker parameters of 107 consecutive older patients with a newly implanted pacemaker at our hospital (age 83.8 ± 5.0 years; 54.2% men). The study end-point was all-cause mortality. During the follow-up period (mean 3.0 years), 21 cases of all-cause death were reported. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for activity rate to predict all-cause mortality was 0.82 (95% confidence interval 0.72-0.92, P < 0.001). An activity rate of 3.4% (50 min/day) had a sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 66.7% for predicting all-cause mortality. The survival rate was significantly higher among patients with an activity rate ≥3.4% than among those with an activity rate <3.4% (log-rank, P < 0.001). A multivariate Cox regression analysis identified low activity rates as a predictor of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 15.0, 95% confidence interval 4.29-52.6; P < 0.001). Low activity rates appear to be a strong predictor of all-cause mortality in older patients with a pacemaker. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 106-111.

Physical Activity and Health Habits of 17- to 25-Year-Old Young People during Their Free Time

The objective was to examine daily health-related habits and physical activity during free time in a group of young people, with the aim of analysing what types of habits are developed and the associations existing between these habits. A cross-sectional and observational study was carried out. The sample was composed of 1132 young people from Castilla-La Mancha (Spain), 53.4% women and 46.6% men, between 17 and 25 years old (M = 20.63; DT = 2.01). The instrument used in this study was the questionnaire of assessment of health-related habits (QAHH). Different ranges of age and gender were taken into account in the analyses. The results showed low rates of physical activity, with only 25% of the participants practicing physical activity in their free time. Regarding gender, no differences were observed between boys and girls in terms of the level of physical activity practice. The inferential analyses revealed several significant relationships between the habits of leisure time and the practice of physical activity. The analyses also revealed that alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption and Internet were used as means to escape from everyday life. The most frequent free-time activities of the participants during the week were the use of new technologies and the consumption of harmful substances. During the weekends the most frequent ones were physical activity and consumption of harmful substances. While the relationship between physical activity, health-related habits and leisure time in young people is complex, these results indicate that physical activity should be promoted in young people, especially during the week and as a healthy alternative to the consumption of harmful substances. To do this, professionals of different fields (education, psychology, sports sciences, nutrition and medicine, among others) should work together.