Evaluation of the vestibular/ocular motor screening assessment in active combat sport athletes: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: The first aim of this study was to compare the results of the vestibular/ocular motor screening (VOMS) in combat sport athletes with a healthy control population. Second, to explore differences between athletes with and without a concussion history. Third, to examine the relationship between VOMS and the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) in combat sport athletes. PARTICIPANTS: Forty active male combat sport athletes and 40 healthy male control participants were recruited from 4 clubs and a University in Australia. METHODS: Participants completed the VOMS in a primary care physiotherapy clinic. Participants completed an injury questionnaire and the PCSS. RESULTS: An "abnormal" score in at least one subtest or near point convergence (NPC) was recorded in 45% of the combat group compared with 22.5% of the control group. All VOMS scores and NPC distance were greater in the combat group compared with control group (p < 0.05). The VOMS scores were found to be moderately positively correlated with the PCSS. There was no difference in VOMS between athletes with and without a history of concussion (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: VOMS scores differed between combat sport athletes and control participants. The PCSS may aid clinicians in identifying athletes who have underlying vestibular/oculomotor impairment.

Brucella neotomae Recapitulates Attributes of Zoonotic Human Disease in a Murine Infection Model.

Members of the genus Brucella are Gram-negative pathogens that cause chronic systemic infection in farm animals and zoonotic infection in humans. Study of the genus Brucella has been hindered by the need for biosafety level 3 select agent containment. Brucella neotomae, originally isolated from the desert pack rat, presented an opportunity to develop an alternative, non-select agent experimental model. Our prior in vitro work indicated that the cell biology and type IV secretion system (T4SS) dependence of B. neotomae intracellular replication were similar to observations for human-pathogenic select agent Brucella species. Therefore, here, we investigated the pathobiology of B. neotomae infection in the BALB/c mouse. During a sustained infectious course, B. neotomae replicated and persisted in reticuloendothelial organs. Bioluminescent imaging and histopathological and PCR-based analysis demonstrated that the T4SS contributed to efficient early infection of the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes; granuloma formation and hepatosplenomegaly; and early induction of Th1-associated cytokine gene expression. The infectious course and pathologies in the murine model showed similarity to prior observations of primate and native host infection with zoonotic Brucella species. Therefore, the B. neotomae BALB/c infection model offers a promising system to accelerate and complement experimental work in the genus Brucella.

Vestibular and oculomotor function in male combat sport athletes.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate for differences in vestibulo-ocular function between active male combat sport athletes and a healthy control group. In addition, to explore the relationship between symptom-based outcome measures with vestibulo-ocular function. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: 40 male adult combat sport athletes and 40 active male control participants were recruited from 4 martial arts schools and a University campus in Queensland, Australia. All participants completed a standardised protocol which was used to assess vestibulo-ocular function. The protocol included 3 components: 1) oculomotor function, 2) benign paroxysmal positional vertigo screening, and 3) vestibulo-ocular reflex function. The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening tool and Dizziness Handicap Inventory were used as symptom-based outcome measures. RESULTS: More combat sport athletes had oculomotor abnormalities than control group participants. There were no between group differences in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, vestibulo-ocular reflex function and the video-head impulse test gain (ms). Combat sport athletes had higher symptom-based outcome scores. The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening tool and Dizziness Handicap Inventory were found to have moderate positive relationships with the total number of abnormalities detected in the combat sport group. CONCLUSIONS: Vestibulo-ocular function is imperative for combat sport athletes to perform evasive manoeuvres and land their own strikes. The present study findings may aid clinicians in the identification of combat sport athletes with underlying vestibulo-ocular dysfunction, prompting further investigation.

Cervical spine characteristics differ in competitive combat athletes compared with active control participants.

BACKGROUND: Injury to the head and neck are common in combat sport athletes. Impairments of the cervical spine have been found in some athletes who participate in sports with high forces and collisions. There is a lack of research on the effects of combat sports on the cervical spine. OBJECTIVE: The primary study aim was to investigate differences in cervical spine characteristics between combat athletes and a similarly aged active control group. The secondary aim was to investigate the relationship between symptom-based outcome measures and characteristics of the cervical spine. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHOD: 40 male adult combat sport athletes and 40 male adult control participants were recruited from 4 combat sport clubs and a university campus, Australia. Cervical spine assessments were conducted at a private physiotherapy clinic. The Neck Disability Index and the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale were used as symptom-based outcome measures. RESULTS: Combat sport athletes had a reduced range of cervical motion, but greater isometric strength and endurance compared with a control group (p < 0.05). The Neck Disability Index and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale were negatively correlated with cervical spine range of motion and isometric strength, meaning that higher scores correlated with a reduction in function. CONCLUSIONS: Differences were observed in characteristics of the cervical spine in combat sport athletes compared with a control group. Higher symptom-based outcome scores correlated with reduced range of motion and strength of cervical spine muscles. Further investigation to establish clinical cut-off scores for functional impairment may be warranted.

An immunocompromised murine model of chronic Bartonella infection.

Bartonella are ubiquitous gram-negative pathogens that cause chronic blood stream infections in mammals. Two species most often responsible for human infection, B. henselae and B. quintana, cause prolonged febrile illness in immunocompetent hosts, known as cat scratch disease and trench fever, respectively. Fascinatingly, in immunocompromised hosts, these organisms also induce new blood vessel formation leading to the formation of angioproliferative tumors, a disease process named bacillary angiomatosis. In addition, they cause an endothelial-lined cystic disease in the liver known as bacillary peliosis. Unfortunately, there are as yet no completely satisfying small animal models for exploring these unique human pathologies, as neither species appears able to sustain infection in small animal models. Therefore, we investigated the potential use of other Bartonella species for their ability to recapitulate human pathologies in an immunodeficient murine host. Here, we demonstrate the ability of Bartonella taylorii to cause chronic infection in SCID/BEIGE mice. In this model, Bartonella grows in extracellular aggregates, embedded within collagen matrix, similar to previous observations in cat scratch disease, bacillary peliosis, and bacillary angiomatosis. Interestingly, despite overwhelming infection later in disease, evidence for significant intracellular replication in endothelial or other cell types was not evident. We believe that this new model will provide an important new tool for investigation of Bartonella-host interaction.

The association of concussion history and symptom presentation in combat sport athletes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe the concussion-related symptoms reported among combat sport athletes with and without a history of concussion, and a history of neck injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Data were collected using an online survey instrument. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and nine adult combat sport athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported 12-month concussion history and neck injury history and a 22-item symptom checklist. RESULTS: A history of concussion was reported by 19.1% of athletes, a history of neck injury was reported by 23.0%, and 13.6% reported both injuries. Neck pain was the most frequently reported symptom. Athletes with a history of injury had significantly greater proportions of 'high' total symptoms and symptom severity scores compared with athletes with no history of injury. Athletes with a history of concussion had 2.35 times higher odds of reporting 'high' total symptoms and symptoms severity scores. CONCLUSION: Athletes with a history of concussion or neck injury have greater odds of presenting with higher symptom scores. The presence of high total symptom scores and high symptom severity scores may indicate a need for further investigation into domains commonly associated with concussion.

Direct laser writing of volumetric gradient index lenses and waveguides.

Direct laser writing (DLW) has been shown to render 3D polymeric optical components, including lenses, beam expanders, and mirrors, with submicrometer precision. However, these printed structures are limited to the refractive index and dispersive properties of the photopolymer. Here, we present the subsurface controllable refractive index via beam exposure (SCRIBE) method, a lithographic approach that enables the tuning of the refractive index over a range of greater than 0.3 by performing DLW inside photoresist-filled nanoporous silicon and silica scaffolds. Adjusting the laser exposure during printing enables 3D submicron control of the polymer infilling and thus the refractive index and chromatic dispersion. Combining SCRIBE's unprecedented index range and 3D writing accuracy has realized the world's smallest (15 µm diameter) spherical Luneburg lens operating at visible wavelengths. SCRIBE's ability to tune the chromatic dispersion alongside the refractive index was leveraged to render achromatic doublets in a single printing step, eliminating the need for multiple photoresins and writing sequences. SCRIBE also has the potential to form multicomponent optics by cascading optical elements within a scaffold. As a demonstration, stacked focusing structures that generate photonic nanojets were fabricated inside porous silicon. Finally, an all-pass ring resonator was coupled to a subsurface 3D waveguide. The measured quality factor of 4600 at 1550 nm suggests the possibility of compact photonic systems with optical interconnects that traverse multiple planes. SCRIBE is uniquely suited for constructing such photonic integrated circuits due to its ability to integrate multiple optical components, including lenses and waveguides, without additional printed supports.

Infection of cultured human endothelial cells by Legionella pneumophila.

Legionella pneumophila is a gram-negative pathogen that causes a severe pneumonia known as Legionnaires' disease. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that L. pneumophila infects and grows within cultured human endothelial cells. Endothelial infection may contribute to lung damage observed during Legionnaires' disease and to systemic spread of this organism.