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We present a self-consistent one-dimensional (1D) quantum transport simulator based on the Contact Block Reduction (CBR) method, aiming for very fast and robust transport simulation of 1D quantum devices. Applying the general CBR approach to 1D open systems results in a set of very simple equations that are derived and given in detail for the first time. The charge self-consistency of the coupled CBR-Poisson equations is achieved by using the predictor-corrector iteration scheme with the optional Anderson acceleration. In addition, we introduce a new way to convert an equilibrium electrostatic barrier potential calculated from an external simulator to an effective doping profile, which is then used by the CBR-Poisson code for transport simulation of the barrier under non-zero biases. The code has been applied to simulate the quantum transport in a double barrier structure and across a tunnel barrier in a silicon double quantum dot. Extremely fast self-consistent 1D simulations of the differential conductance across a tunnel barrier in the quantum dot show better qualitative agreement with experiment than non-self-consistent simulations. 2©014 AIP Publishing LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can increase the risk of infection by impacting on many aspects of immune function; one particularly well-documented observation is a reduction in lymphocyte numbers. The vast majority of lymphoid cells express adrenergic receptors. Therefore, autonomic function loss and concomitant alterations in resting and post-exercise catecholamine concentrations, particularly so in individuals with a tetraplegia, may impact directly on immune cells and depress immunity. Other factors are further likely to contribute, examples including altered muscular, endocrine and cardiovascular function following SCI. However, some alterations, such as increases in natural killer cell cytotoxicity following exercise in those with a tetraplegia, are unrelated to the catecholamine response. Likewise, mucosal immunity in individuals with a tetraplegia appears to be similarly influenced by exercise as in the able-bodied population. Indeed, rehabilitation therapy and exercise can increase some measures of immunity and autonomic function in those with an SCI. It is therefore possible that compensatory mechanisms offset disability-related detriments. This may be by way of sympathetic reflex activity, receptor hypersensitivity, or parasympathetic and neuroendocrine adjustments. Future work needs to explore these mechanisms further to clarify the implications of an SCI on the immune response to exercise and susceptibility to infection. In this article, we review the impacts of an SCI on immune, and specifically, exercise immune function. The relevant anatomical and physiological foundations of the immune system are first briefly laid out in order to understand the potential impacts of neural and neuroendocrine dysfunction on the immune system. With the limited number of human studies available, we have then aimed specifically to gather all relevant existing literature on exercise immunology in individuals with an SCI in patient, recreationally active and athlete populations.We believe that an understanding of the impacts of exercise can provide a tool to help maintain or improve health in individuals with an SCI. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the search engines PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science and Zetoc, search period June 2012 - February 2013. Key words employed included spinal cord injury, immunology, exercise, paraplegic, tetraplegic, upper body exercise, interleukin, immunoglobulin, sympathetic, and parasympathetic. All articles and articles derived from their reference lists were checked for their suitability [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially those on long-term dialysis, often suffer from muscle wasting and excessive fatigue. It is known that inactivity, muscle wasting and reduced physical functioning are associated with increased mortality in CKD. Known causes include uraemic myopathy and neuropathy, inactivity, and anaemia. Exercise in patients receiving regular dialysis treatment for end-stage renal disease was first introduced 3 decades ago, but is still only offered in a minority of renal units around the world, despite a significant body of evidence to support its use. Work is needed to increase awareness of the potential benefits of increased physical activity for patients with advanced CKD. This review summarizes the mechanisms of exercise intolerance and debility in advanced CKD patients, the methods used for the estimation of functional capacity, the options currently available for exercise training, and their influence on the well-being of this group of patients. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ingesting carbohydrate beverages during prolonged exercise is associated with fewer numbers of circulating neutrophils and attenuated neutrophil functional responses, yet there is little information about the effect of fluid intake alone on immune responses to prolonged exercise. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of regular fluid ingestion compared with no fluid ingestion on plasma cortisol, circulating neutrophil and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophil degranulation responses to prolonged cycling. In a randomized design, nine recreationally active males cycled for 2 h at 65% VO2max on two occasions with either fluid ingestion (lemon-flavoured water, fluid trial) before and during the exercise, or with no fluid intake at all (no fluid trial). Venous blood samples were obtained at rest, immediately after exercise and 1 h after exercise. Immediately after exercise, the plasma cortisol concentration was significantly higher in the no fluid trial than in the fluid trial (592 +/- 62 vs 670 +/- 63 nmol x l(-1), P < 0.05). Circulating numbers of neutrophils increased 4.5-fold (P < 0.01) and LPS-stimulated elastase release per neutrophil decreased 34 +/- 7% (P < 0.01) immediately after exercise; there were no differences between trials. These results suggest that in ambient environmental conditions, fluid ingestion alone has a negligible effect on circulating neutrophil and LPS-stimulated neutrophil degranulation responses to prolonged exercise.

Ingesting carbohydrate (CHO) beverages during heavy exercise is associated with smaller changes in the plasma concentrations of several cytokines. The influence of dietary CHO availability on these responses has not been determined. Therefore, the present study investigated the influence of pre-exercise CHO status on plasma interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) responses to prolonged cycling. Seven trained male cyclists performed a glycogen-lowering bout of cycling and were randomly assigned to follow a diet ensuring either greater than 70% (HIGH) or less than 10% (LOW) of daily energy intake from CHO for the next 3 days. On day 4 subjects performed an exercise test that comprised cycling for 1 hour at 60% Wmax immediately followed by a time-trial (TT) ensuring an energy expenditure equivalent to cycling for 30 min at 80% Wmax. Subjects repeated the protocol after 7 days, this time following the second diet. The order of the trials was counterbalanced. At 1 and 2 hours post-TT, plasma concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 were 2-fold greater on the LOW trial than on the HIGH trial, and peak plasma concentrations of IL-1ra were 9-fold greater on the LOW trial than on the HIGH trial. These findings suggest that pre-exercise CHO status can influence the plasma cytokine response to prolonged cycling.

Ingesting carbohydrate (CHO) beverages during heavy exercise is associated with smaller shifts in numbers of circulating neutrophils and attenuated changes in neutrophil functional responses. The influence of dietary CHO availability on these responses has not been determined. Therefore, the present study investigated the influence of pre-exercise CHO status on circulating neutrophil and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated neutrophil degranulation responses to prolonged cycling. Twelve trained male cyclists performed a glycogen-lowering bout of cycling and were randomly assigned to follow a diet ensuring either greater than 70% (HIGH) or less than 10% (LOW) of daily energy intake from CHO for the next 3 days. On day 4, subjects performed an exercise test that comprised cycling for 1 hour at 60% Wmax immediately followed by a time-trial (TT) ensuring an energy expenditure equivalent to cycling for 30 min at 80% Wmax. Subjects repeated the protocol after 7 days, this time following the second diet. The order of the trials was counterbalanced. At TT completion, the HIGH compared with the LOW trial was associated with higher plasma glucose concentration, lower plasma cortisol concentration, and lower circulating neutrophil count. LPS-stimulated neutrophil degranulation per cell fell similarly on both trials. These findings suggest that pre-exercise CHO status influences neutrophil trafficking but not function in response to prolonged cycling.

Strenuous prolonged exertion and heavy training are associated with depressed immune function. Furthermore, improper nutrition can compound the negative influence of heavy exertion on immunocompetence. Dietary deficiencies of protein and specific micronutrients have long been associated with immune dysfunction. An adequate intake of iron, zinc, and vitamins A, E, B6 and B12 is particularly important but excess intakes can also impair immune function. Immune system impairment has also been associated with excess intake of fat. To maintain immune function, athletes should eat a well balanced diet sufficient to meet their energy requirements. An athlete exercising in a carbohydrate-depleted state experiences larger increases in circulating stress hormones and a greater perturbation of several immune function indices. Conversely, consuming carbohydrate during exercise attenuates rises in stress hormones such as cortisol and appears to limit the degree of exercise-induced immunosuppression, at least for non-fatiguing bouts of exercise. Strong evidence that high doses of antioxidant vitamins, glutamine supplementation or echinacea extracts can prevent exercise-induced immunosuppression is lacking.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of regular CHO beverage ingestion and restricted fluid intake on various salivary parameters during prolonged cycle exercise., Methods: In a randomized block design, 15 recreationally active men cycled for 2 h at 60% VO2max on three occasions, separated by 1 wk. On the CHO and placebo (PLA) treatments, subjects consumed either a glucose (60 g x L(-1)) or placebo drink before (400 mL), during (150 mL every 15 min), and after (400 mL) the exercise. On the restricted fluid intake (RFI) treatment subjects were given a total of 200 mL of placebo fluid to take as desired every 15-min during the exercise. Timed, unstimulated saliva samples were collected preexercise, at 1, 1.5, and 2 h of exercise and at 1 h postexercise. Blood samples were obtained from a subset of 8 subjects preexercise, postexercise, and at 1 h postexercise., Results: Postexercise plasma glucose levels were 18% and 20% lower on the PLA and RFI treatments, respectively, compared with the CHO treatment (P < 0.01). Saliva flow rates were significantly higher on the CHO treatment compared with the RFI treatment at 1.5 h and 2 h of exercise (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Salivary IgA (s-IgA) concentration was significantly lower on the CHO treatment compared with the RFI treatment throughout the exercise (P < 0.05). No other differences were seen between treatments for either saliva flow rate or s-IgA concentration. Neither s-IgA secretion rate, alpha-amylase activity, nor alpha-amylase secretion rate were affected by treatment., Conclusions: These findings suggest that CHO and fluid intake influence the s-IgA and saliva flow rate response to prolonged submaximal exercise.