Epigenetic inheritance of diet-induced and sperm-borne mitochondrial RNAs.

Spermatozoa harbour a complex and environment-sensitive pool of small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs)1, which influences offspring development and adult phenotypes1-7. Whether spermatozoa in the epididymis are directly susceptible to environmental cues is not fully understood8. Here we used two distinct paradigms of preconception acute high-fat diet to dissect epididymal versus testicular contributions to the sperm sncRNA pool and offspring health. We show that epididymal spermatozoa, but not developing germ cells, are sensitive to the environment and identify mitochondrial tRNAs (mt-tRNAs) and their fragments (mt-tsRNAs) as sperm-borne factors. In humans, mt-tsRNAs in spermatozoa correlate with body mass index, and paternal overweight at conception doubles offspring obesity risk and compromises metabolic health. Sperm sncRNA sequencing of mice mutant for genes involved in mitochondrial function, and metabolic phenotyping of their wild-type offspring, suggest that the upregulation of mt-tsRNAs is downstream of mitochondrial dysfunction. Single-embryo transcriptomics of genetically hybrid two-cell embryos demonstrated sperm-to-oocyte transfer of mt-tRNAs at fertilization and suggested their involvement in the control of early-embryo transcription. Our study supports the importance of paternal health at conception for offspring metabolism, shows that mt-tRNAs are diet-induced and sperm-borne and demonstrates, in a physiological setting, father-to-offspring transfer of sperm mitochondrial RNAs at fertilization.

Enhanced RBE of Particle Radiation Depends on Beam Size in the Micrometer Range.

High-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as heavy ions is associated with a higher relative biological effectiveness (RBE) than low-LET radiation, such as photons. Irradiation with low- and high-LET particles differ in the interaction with the cellular matter and therefore in the spatial dose distribution. When a single high-LET particle interacts with matter, it results in doses of up to thousands of gray (Gy) locally concentrated around the ion trajectory, whereas the mean dose averaged over the target, such as a cell nucleus is only in the range of a Gy. DNA damage therefore accumulates in this small volume. In contrast, up to hundreds of low-LET particle hits are required to achieve the same mean dose, resulting in a quasi-homogeneous damage distribution throughout the cell nucleus. In this study, we investigated the dependence of RBE from different spatial dose depositions using different focused beam spot sizes of proton radiation with respect to the induction of chromosome aberrations and clonogenic cell survival. Human-hamster hybrid (AL) as well as Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) were irradiated with focused low LET protons of 20 MeV (LET = 2.6 keV/µm) beam energy with a mean dose of 1.7 Gy in a quadratic matrix pattern with point spacing of 5.4 × 5.4 µm2 and 117 protons per matrix point at the ion microbeam SNAKE using different beam spot sizes between 0.8 µm and 2.8 µm (full width at half maximum). The dose-response curves of X-ray reference radiation were used to determine the RBE after a 1.7 Gy dose of radiation. The RBE for the induction of dicentric chromosomes and cell inactivation was increased after irradiation with the smallest beam spot diameter (0.8 µm for chromosome aberration experiments and 1.0 µm for cell survival experiments) compared to homogeneous proton radiation but was still below the RBE of a corresponding high LET single ion hit. By increasing the spot size to 1.6-1.8 µm, the RBE decreased but was still higher than for homogeneously distributed protons. By further increasing the spot size to 2.7-2.8 µm, the RBE was no longer different from the homogeneous radiation. Our experiments demonstrate that varying spot size of low-LET radiation gradually modifies the RBE. This underlines that a substantial fraction of enhanced RBE originates from inhomogeneous energy concentrations on the µm scale (mean intertrack distances of low-LET particles below 0.1 µm) and quantifies the link between such energy concentration and RBE. The missing fraction of RBE enhancement when comparing with high-LET ions is attributed to the high inner track energy deposition on the nanometer scale. The results are compared with model results of PARTRAC and LEM for chromosomal aberration and cell survival, respectively, which suggest mechanistic interpretations of the observed radiation effects.

Spectral composition of secondary electrons based on the Kiefer-Straaten ion track structure model.

The major part of energy deposition of ionizing radiation is caused by secondary electrons, independent of the primary radiation type. However, their spatial concentration and their spectral properties strongly depend on the primary radiation type and finally determine the pattern of molecular damage e.g. to biological targets as the DNA, and thus the final effect of the radiation exposure. To describe the physical and to predict the biological consequences of charged ion irradiation, amorphous track structure approaches have proven to be pragmatic and helpful. There, the local dose deposition in the ion track is equated by considering the emission and slowing down of the secondary electrons from the primary particle track. In the present work we exploit the model of Kiefer and Straaten and derive the spectral composition of secondary electrons as function of the distance to the track center. The spectral composition indicates differences to spectra of low linear energy transfer (LET) photon radiation, which we confirm by a comparison with Monte Carlo studies. We demonstrate that the amorphous track structure approach provides a simple tool for evaluating the spectral electron properties within the track structure. Predictions of the LET of electrons across the track structure as well as the electronic dose build-up effect are derived. Implications for biological effects and corresponding predicting models based on amorphous track structure are discussed.

Vulnerable in the end - Longitudinal study among medical students on mental health and personal and work-related resources over a 5.5-year-period.

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are common in medical professionals and their development already starts at the undergraduate level. Studies on medical students can replicate higher prevalence for depression and burnout in this group, but they normally compare semester cohorts in an anonymized, cross-sectional approach and without a preventive perspective. METHODS: We surveyed medical students at the beginning and end of their medical curriculum and collected data on burnout, depressivity, work related experience and salutogenesis parameters with validated self-administered questionnaires. Most remarkably we obtained the data from the same 58 individuals after 5.5 years, representing data of the highest quality in order to compare the mental health status at the beginning and the end of our students´ medical curriculum. RESULTS: Our results not only show a severe exacerbation of physical, mental and emotional burnout in the participants at the end of their studies. The students also do not seem to have sufficient personal (resilience) or social resources (e.g. experience of social support) for coping with their mental health problems around the time of their graduation. CONCLUSIONS: Our participants reflect a development of mental health during their medical studies at university that is paving the way to the devastating prevalence of mental disorders and suicide in health professionals. From our results we derive an urgent need to integrate self-care and active coping in the learning goals of medical curricula.

The effect of chronic high-intensity interval training programs on glycaemic control, aerobic resistance, and body composition in type 2 diabetic patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is an increasing health problem worldwide. HIIT has been proposed as an exercise alternative to be part of integral type 2 diabetes treatment. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effect of different types of chronic HIIT on glycaemic control, aerobic resistance, and body composition in individuals above 18 years with T2D. DESIGN: This meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement and was registered with PROSPERO on November 21st, 2021. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search of the following databases: EbscoHost (Academic Search Ultimate, Fuente Académica Plus, MEDline and SportDiscus), Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE between April of 2021 and April of 2023 was conducted. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Eligibility criteria included (1) participants aged ≥ 18 years with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes, (2) an HIIT protocol with detailed description, (3) control group and/or continuous aerobic training comparison group, (4) report of pre-test and post-test values for at least one of the studied variables (from glycaemic control, aerobic resistance, and/or body composition), and (5) experimental or quasi-experimental intervention design. ANALYSES: Meta-analysis was made by a pre-post-test between-group analysis following the inverse variance heterogeneity model for each variable, and then, a subgroup analysis by type of HIIT was conducted. RESULTS: Of the 2817 records obtained, 180 records were included for meta-analysis. Significant improvements were found in the most part of the variables when HIIT was compared to control group, while fat-free mass kept without changes. HIIT vs. continuous aerobic training results showed and advantage in favor of HIIT for fasting blood glycemia. Subgroup analysis refers a possible advantage of SI-HIIT and SIT-HIIT in the improvement of fasting glycemia and SIT-HIIT advantage in HOMA 1-IR decrease. CONCLUSIONS: HIIT improves glycaemic control, aerobic resistance, and % fat and waist circumference, and kept fat-free mass unchanged in individuals with T2D. SI-HIIT and SIT-HIIT could be better than the other types of HIIT. HIIT benefit is similar to continuous aerobic training except for fasting blood glycemia.

Circular dichroism in hard X-ray photoelectron diffraction observed by time-of-flight momentum microscopy.

X-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) is a powerful technique that yields detailed structural information of solids and thin films that complements electronic structure measurements. Among the strongholds of XPD we can identify dopant sites, track structural phase transitions, and perform holographic reconstruction. High-resolution imaging of kll-distributions (momentum microscopy) presents a new approach to core-level photoemission. It yields full-field kx-ky XPD patterns with unprecedented acquisition speed and richness in details. Here, we show that beyond the pure diffraction information, XPD patterns exhibit pronounced circular dichroism in the angular distribution (CDAD) with asymmetries up to 80%, alongside with rapid variations on a small kll-scale (0.1 Å-1). Measurements with circularly-polarized hard X-rays (hν = 6 keV) for a number of core levels, including Si, Ge, Mo and W, prove that core-level CDAD is a general phenomenon that is independent of atomic number. The fine structure in CDAD is more pronounced compared to the corresponding intensity patterns. Additionally, they obey the same symmetry rules as found for atomic and molecular species, and valence bands. The CD is antisymmetric with respect to the mirror planes of the crystal, whose signatures are sharp zero lines. Calculations using both the Bloch-wave approach and one-step photoemission reveal the origin of the fine structure that represents the signature of Kikuchi diffraction. To disentangle the roles of photoexcitation and diffraction, XPD has been implemented into the Munich SPRKKR package to unify the one-step model of photoemission and multiple scattering theory.

Performance of a cryo-cooled crystal monochromator illuminated by hard X-rays with MHz repetition rate at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser.

Due to the high intensity and MHz repetition rate of photon pulses generated by the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser, the heat load on silicon crystal monochromators can become large and prevent ideal transmission in Bragg diffraction geometry due to crystal deformation. Here, we present experimental data illustrating how heat load affects the performance of a cryogenically cooled monochromator under such conditions. The measurements are in good agreement with a depth-uniform model of X-ray dynamical diffraction taking beam absorption and heat deformation of the crystals into account.

Results of plasma radiative compression investigation in the PF-24 device operated with D2, Ar and (100%-x)D2+x%Ar mixtures obtained using the 5-phase Lee model code.

The article presents new results for plasma radiative compression in high-current discharges in the z-pinch configuration. The results are based on the 113 discharges performed in the plasma-focus PF-24 device operated with D2, Ar and (100%-x)D2+xAr mixtures, with Ar pressure fractions x ≈ 3-60% (mole fractions). The constant initial total pressure is about 2.9 mbar and the constant initial pressure of Ar is 1.2 mbar. Each experimental discharge was simulated individually using the 5-phase Lee model code to carry out the fitting procedure of the total discharge current waveform. The results from these 113 computed discharges fitted to the corresponding 113 experimental discharges show that the increase of the effective atomic number of the gas mixture increases the probability of occurrence of plasma radiative compression phenomenon. Relatively weak radiative compression was found for part of the discharges in 15-60% range of Ar mole fractions and in Ar, while the stronger radiative compression occurred for part of discharges in Ar only. This is because there was too little total x-ray line radiation emission during the equilibrium pinch lifetime related to the very small amount of swept up mass and the low current flow through pinched plasma, represented by the decreasing values of model parameters as the Ar mole fraction increases. The results show that the main pinch parameters influencing the occurrence and strength of radiative compression are: total x-ray line emission yield, effective atomic number, initial pinch radius, initial pinch ion number density and initial pinch ion/electron temperature.

A pre-registered short-term forecasting study of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland during the second wave.

Disease modelling has had considerable policy impact during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and it is increasingly acknowledged that combining multiple models can improve the reliability of outputs. Here we report insights from ten weeks of collaborative short-term forecasting of COVID-19 in Germany and Poland (12 October-19 December 2020). The study period covers the onset of the second wave in both countries, with tightening non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and subsequently a decay (Poland) or plateau and renewed increase (Germany) in reported cases. Thirteen independent teams provided probabilistic real-time forecasts of COVID-19 cases and deaths. These were reported for lead times of one to four weeks, with evaluation focused on one- and two-week horizons, which are less affected by changing NPIs. Heterogeneity between forecasts was considerable both in terms of point predictions and forecast spread. Ensemble forecasts showed good relative performance, in particular in terms of coverage, but did not clearly dominate single-model predictions. The study was preregistered and will be followed up in future phases of the pandemic.

Pump-probe X-ray holographic imaging of laser-induced cavitation bubbles with femtosecond FEL pulses.

Cavitation bubbles can be seeded from a plasma following optical breakdown, by focusing an intense laser in water. The fast dynamics are associated with extreme states of gas and liquid, especially in the nascent state. This offers a unique setting to probe water and water vapor far-from equilibrium. However, current optical techniques cannot quantify these early states due to contrast and resolution limitations. X-ray holography with single X-ray free-electron laser pulses has now enabled a quasi-instantaneous high resolution structural probe with contrast proportional to the electron density of the object. In this work, we demonstrate cone-beam holographic flash imaging of laser-induced cavitation bubbles in water with nanofocused X-ray free-electron laser pulses. We quantify the spatial and temporal pressure distribution of the shockwave surrounding the expanding cavitation bubble at time delays shortly after seeding and compare the results to numerical simulations.

Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser Facility.

The Materials Imaging and Dynamics (MID) instrument at the European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (EuXFEL) facility is described. EuXFEL is the first hard X-ray free-electron laser operating in the MHz repetition range which provides novel science opportunities. The aim of MID is to enable studies of nano-structured materials, liquids, and soft- and hard-condensed matter using the bright X-ray beams generated by EuXFEL. Particular emphasis is on studies of structure and dynamics in materials by coherent scattering and imaging using hard X-rays. Commission of MID started at the end of 2018 and first experiments were performed in 2019.

[Minimally invasive techniques for traumatic injuries of the cervical spine]. / Minimal-invasive Techniken bei traumatischen Halswirbelsäulenverletzungen.

Nowadays, although minimally invasive procedures are the standard for the treatment of thoracolumbar spinal injuries, these techniques are not yet established for the cervical spine. This is due to anatomical and technical reasons and also due to the fact that the classical anterior decompression and fusion procedure already fulfils the criteria of minimally invasiveness and is suitable for the vast majority of injuries. The existing literature consists mainly of case reports and small comparative cohort studies, the results of which are presented. There is a minimally invasive variant for nearly all open procedures, mainly in the upper cervical spine but also in the lower cervical spine. The further development of these promising techniques is still pending.

Biological responses to extreme weather events are detectable but difficult to formally attribute to anthropogenic climate change.

As the frequency and intensity of extreme events such as droughts, heatwaves and floods have increased over recent decades, more extreme biological responses are being reported, and there is widespread interest in attributing such responses to anthropogenic climate change. However, the formal detection and attribution of biological responses to climate change is associated with many challenges. We illustrate these challenges with data from the Elbe River floodplain, Germany. Using community turnover and stability indices, we show that responses in plant, carabid and mollusc communities are detectable following extreme events. Community composition and species dominance changed following the extreme flood and summer heatwave of 2002/2003 (all taxa); the 2006 flood and heatwave (molluscs); and after the recurring floods and heatwave of 2010 and the 2013 flood (plants). Nevertheless, our ability to attribute these responses to anthropogenic climate change is limited by high natural variability in climate and biological data; lack of long-term data and replication, and the effects of multiple events. Without better understanding of the mechanisms behind change and the interactions, feedbacks and potentially lagged responses, multiple-driver attribution is unlikely. We discuss whether formal detection and/or attribution is necessary and suggest ways in which understanding of biological responses to extreme events could progress.

Two-level ACDF with a zero-profile stand-alone spacer compared to conventional plating: a prospective randomized single-center study.

PURPOSE: Stand-alone zero-profile devices have already proven safety, and a reduced dysphagia rate was assumed. So far, no level-one evidence is available to prove the proposed advantages of zero-profile implants in multilevel procedures. The aim of this RCT was to compare the clinical and radiological outcome of a zero-profile spacer versus cage + plate in two-level ACDF. METHODS: Consecutive patients with contiguous two-level cDD were randomly assigned either to the interventional group (zero-profile device) or to the control group (cage + plate). Primary endpoint of the study was the prevalence of dysphagia at 24 months. Disability, progress of adjacent segment degeneration, fusion status and loss of correction were analyzed as secondary outcome measure. Primary outcome parameter was statistically analyzed by Chi-square test. RESULTS: Forty-one patients met inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to the interventional and the control group. Dysphagia was frequent in either group at 3 months FU favoring interventional group (p = 0.078). At final FU, less patients of the interventional group complained about dysphagia, but the difference was not significant. No relevant differences at final FU were recorded for NPDI, loss of correction and adjacent-level degeneration. Fusion rate was slightly lower in the interventional group. DISCUSSION: Two-level ACDF either by a stand-alone zero-profile spacer or cage + plate is safe. Using a zero-profile cage dysphagia was infrequent at 24 months, but the value did not reach statistical significance in comparison with the cage + plate. Hence, this randomized trial was not able to prove the proposed clinical superiority for dysphagia rates for zero-profile anchored spacer in two-level cDD.

Does zinc supplementation enhance the clinical efficacy of chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine to win today's battle against COVID-19?

Currently, drug repurposing is an alternative to novel drug development for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The antimalarial drug chloroquine (CQ) and its metabolite hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) are currently being tested in several clinical studies as potential candidates to limit SARS-CoV-2-mediated morbidity and mortality. CQ and HCQ (CQ/HCQ) inhibit pH-dependent steps of SARS-CoV-2 replication by increasing pH in intracellular vesicles and interfere with virus particle delivery into host cells. Besides direct antiviral effects, CQ/HCQ specifically target extracellular zinc to intracellular lysosomes where it interferes with RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity and coronavirus replication. As zinc deficiency frequently occurs in elderly patients and in those with cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, or diabetes, we hypothesize that CQ/HCQ plus zinc supplementation may be more effective in reducing COVID-19 morbidity and mortality than CQ or HCQ in monotherapy. Therefore, CQ/HCQ in combination with zinc should be considered as additional study arm for COVID-19 clinical trials.

Impact of exercise training status on the fiber type-specific abundance of proteins regulating intramuscular lipid metabolism.

Endurance training enhances the capacity for fat oxidation during exercise due to increased utilization of intramuscular lipid (IMCL). This study quantitatively investigated the impact of exercise training status on muscle fiber type-specific abundance of regulatory proteins involved in IMCL utilization. Endurance-trained [n = 7 subjects, peak oxygen consumption (V̇o2peak) 62.6 ± 4.1 (SD) mL·min-1·kg-1] and non-endurance-trained (n = 8 subjects, V̇o2peak 44.9 ± 5.3 mL·min-1·kg-1) young men completed an incremental exercise test to determine maximal fat oxidation (MFO) and maximal oxygen uptake. Fiber type-specific IMCL content and protein abundance were assessed with immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoblot analysis of pooled single muscle fibers and whole muscle. Endurance-trained individuals displayed a higher MFO rate (0.45 ± 0.15 vs. 0.19 ± 0.07 g/min, P < 0.05), a greater proportion of type I muscle fibers, and higher IMCL content compared with untrained individuals (P < 0.05). Adipose triglyceride lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, perilipin 2, perilipin 5, and hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase abundances were ~2-3-fold higher in type I muscle fibers compared with type IIa fibers (P < 0.05). Correspondingly, these lipid proteins and oxidative enzymes were higher in endurance-trained individuals when assessed in whole muscle. MFO rate was strongly related to the proportion of type I fibers (R = 0.81, P < 0.01). The abundance of proteins involved in the regulation of IMCL storage and oxidation is highly muscle fiber type specific. The increased capacity for fat oxidation in endurance-trained individuals corresponded with increased IMCL content and elevated abundance of lipolytic and oxidative enzymes in combination with a greater proportion of type I muscle fibers.NEW & NOTEWORTHY We have utilized contemporary techniques to compare the fiber type-specific characteristics of skeletal muscle from endurance-trained athletes and untrained individuals. We show that type I muscle fibers have a coordinated upregulation of proteins controlling intramuscular lipid storage, mobilization, and oxidation. Furthermore, the enhanced capacity for intramuscular lipid storage and utilization in endurance-trained individuals is related to the increased expression of lipid regulatory proteins combined with a greater proportion of type I muscle fibers.

Drivers of changing urban flood risk: A framework for action.

This study focuses on drivers for changing urban flood risk. We suggest a framework for guiding climate change adaptation action concerning flood risk and manageability in cities. The identified key drivers of changing flood hazard and vulnerability are used to provide an overview of each driver's impact on flood risk and manageability at the city level. We find that identified drivers for urban flood risk can be grouped in three different priority areas with different time horizon. The first group has high impact but is manageable at city level. Typical drivers in this group are related to the physical environment such as decreasing permeability and unresponsive engineering. The second group of drivers is represented by public awareness and individual willingness to participate and urbanization and urban sprawl. These drivers may be important and are manageable for the cities and they involve both short-term and long-term measures. The third group of drivers is related to policy and long-term changes. This group is represented by economic growth and increasing values at risk, climate change, and increasing complexity of society. They have all high impact but low manageability. Managing these drivers needs to be done in a longer time perspective, e.g., by developing long-term policies and exchange of ideas.

Is Optical Coherence Tomography a Potential Tool to Evaluate Marginal Adaptation of Class III/IV Composite Restorations In Vivo?

OBJECTIVE: Margin analysis of Class III and IV composite restorations in vitro and in vivo occurred by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). The results were compared and related to clinical evaluation. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Eight Class III composite restorations were imaged in vitro using OCT and SEM. The margins were analyzed quantitatively. OCT signals were verified by assignment to the criteria perfect margin, gap, and positive/negative ledge. In vivo quantitative margin analysis of Class III/IV composite restorations made of the micro-hybrid composite Venus combined with the self-etch adhesive iBond Gluma inside (1-SE) or etch-and-rinse adhesive Gluma Comfort Bond (2-ER) (all Heraeus Kulzer) was carried out using OCT and SEM after 90 months of clinical function. The results were compared with clinical evaluation (US Public Health Service criteria; marginal integrity, marginal discoloration). RESULTS: In vitro, the correlation between OCT and SEM was high for all four margin criteria (Kendall tau b [τb] correlation: 0.64-0.92, pi≤0.026), with no significant differences between OCT and SEM (pi≥0.63). In vivo, a moderate correlation was observed (τb: 0.38-0.45, pi<0.016). Clinically, the cumulative failure rate in the criterion marginal integrity was higher for the 1-SE group (baseline 90 M, p=0.011). Similarly, OCT and SEM detected higher percentages of the criterion gap in the 1-SE group (p: 0.027/0.002), in contrast to perfect margin. Both, gap and perfect margin ranged widely between 0.0% and 88.7% (OCT) and between 0.0% and 89.0% (SEM). CONCLUSION: Despite the positive selection bias after 90 months with only a few patients left, quantitative margin analysis allows for differentiation between the two adhesives at this specific date. OCT in particular offers the possibility to evaluate marginal integrity directly in vivo.

Gender as an underestimated factor in mental health of medical students.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, currently two out of three medical students are female. Several studies corroborate that medical students show a significantly higher prevalence of stress-related mental disorders than the population in general. AIMS: We aimed to evaluate, if gender has an influence on the distribution of mental stress parameters and learning style among male and female medical students. METHODS: We investigated a total of 758 students of the medical faculty at the University of Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany, using standardized and validated psychological questionnaires on depressive symptoms (BDI-II), burnout (BOSS-II) and quality of life (SF-12). In addition, we screened the students for their learning styles according to Kolb. RESULTS: Out of 723 participants who declared their gender, 57.8% were female and 37.6% were male. Female students showed significantly higher values for depressiveness as well as for emotional and cognitive burnout, whereas the mental quality of life was significantly lower. A considerably higher percentage of male students with a converging or an accommodating learning style were found in comparison to their female fellows. CONCLUSIONS: We postulate that an adaptation of the medical curriculum content to the investigated factors may contribute to a higher mental stability and less stress-related symptoms in medical students.

CALCULATIONS OF SHUTDOWN DOSE RATE FOR THE TPR SPECTROMETER OF THE HIGH-RESOLUTION NEUTRON SPECTROMETER FOR ITER.

This work presents results of the calculations performed in order to predict the neutron-induced activity in structural materials that are considered to be using at the TPR spectrometer-one of the detection system of the High-Resolution Neutron Spectrometer for ITER. An attempt has been made to estimate the shutdown dose rates in a Cuboid #1 and to check if they satisfy ICRP regulatory requirements for occupational exposure to radiation and ITER nuclear safety regulations for areas with personal access. The results were obtained by the MCNP and FISPACT-II calculations.