Ethnicity-Based Variations in Focal Adhesion Kinase Signaling in Glioblastoma Gene Expression: A Study of the Puerto Rican Hispanic Population.

Glioblastoma (GBM), an aggressive form of brain cancer, has a higher incidence in non-Hispanics when compared to the US Hispanic population. Using data from RT-PCR analysis of 21 GBM tissue from Hispanic patients in Puerto Rico, we identified significant correlations in the gene expression of focal adhesion kinase and proline-rich tyrosine kinase (PTK2 and PTK2B) with NGFR (nerve growth factor receptor), PDGFRB (platelet-derived growth factor receptor B), EGFR (epithelial growth factor receptor), and CXCR1 (C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1). This study further explores these correlations found in gene expression while accounting for sex and ethnicity. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) correlations with an r value > ±0.7 were subsequently contrasted with mRNA expression data acquired from cBioPortal for 323 GBM specimens. Significant correlations in Puerto Rican male patients were found between PTK2 and PTK2B, NGFR, PDGFRB, EGFR, and CXCR1, which did not arise in non-Hispanic male patient data. The data for Puerto Rican female patients showed correlations in PTK2 with PTK2B, NGFR, PDGFRB, and EGFR, all of which did not appear in the data for non-Hispanic female patients. The data acquired from cBioPortal for non-Puerto Rican Hispanic patients supported the correlations found in the Puerto Rican population for both sexes. Our findings reveal distinct correlations in gene expression patterns, particularly involving PTK2, PTK2B, NGFR, PDGFRB, and EGFR among Puerto Rican Hispanic patients when compared to non-Hispanic counterparts.

Injury incidence and characteristics in adolescent female football players: A systematic review with meta-analysis of prospective studies.

To observe overall, training, and match injury incidence in female youth football. We also aimed to quantify the incidence of injuries by affected tissue and body location. The following databases were examined: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane and PEDro. Papers that reported overall injury incidence, training or match injury incidence were included. Additionally, studies had to be performed in adolescent female football players (13-19 years of age). The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the checklist of items that must be included in epidemiological football reports were used to assess methodological quality of the included articles. For the meta-analyses, a random effect model was used. A total of 13 studies were included. There were 2,333 injuries; incidence was higher during games (12.7/1000 h) compared to training sessions (2.3/1000 h). The injury match-to-training ratio was 5.8. The lower limbs were the region in which the greatest number of injuries occurred, with the ankle (1.2/1000 h) and knee (0.8/1000 h) having the most injuries. In relation to injured tissue, ligament injuries represented an incidence of 1.3/1000 h, followed by muscle injuries (0.9/1000 h). This study represents the first step towards the creation and implementation of preventative measures in female youth football. The results suggest that attention should be focused on ankle and knee injuries, since they are the most frequent and can lead to sport retirement in some cases depending on the severity.

A coarse-grained approach to model the dynamics of the actomyosin cortex.

BACKGROUND: The dynamics of the actomyosin machinery is at the core of many important biological processes. Several relevant cellular responses such as the rhythmic compression of the cell cortex are governed, at a mesoscopic level, by the nonlinear interaction between actin monomers, actin crosslinkers, and myosin motors. Coarse-grained models are an optimal tool to study actomyosin systems, since they can include processes that occur at long time and space scales, while maintaining the most relevant features of the molecular interactions. RESULTS: Here, we present a coarse-grained model of a two-dimensional actomyosin cortex, adjacent to a three-dimensional cytoplasm. Our simplified model incorporates only well-characterized interactions between actin monomers, actin crosslinkers and myosin, and it is able to reproduce many of the most important aspects of actin filament and actomyosin network formation, such as dynamics of polymerization and depolymerization, treadmilling, network formation, and the autonomous oscillatory dynamics of actomyosin. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the present model can be used to study the in vivo response of actomyosin networks to changes in key parameters of the system, such as alterations in the attachment of actin filaments to the cell cortex.

Epidemiology of Rink Hockey-Related Injuries.

CONTEXT: Determining the rate of injuries related to a certain sport is accepted as the primary step toward designing, implementing, and evaluating injury prevention programs. The aim of this study was to examine the injuries sustained by semiprofessional Spanish rink hockey players and to compare data per playing position. DESIGN: Observational and retrospective. METHODS: Athletes from 21 teams were surveyed via a self-reported questionnaire to screen for incidence, injury burden, location, tissue, and onset of injuries. RESULTS: Overall, 101 time loss injuries were reported across 22,241 hours of exposure, giving rise to an incidence rate of 4.5/1000 hours. The main body regions injured were the hip/groin, shoulder, thigh, and head, accounting altogether for 47.5% of all injuries. Musculotendinous injuries were the most frequent, comprising 27.7% of all injuries. Incidence accounted for 3.1/1000 hours during training and 23/1000 hours during games (P < .001). A high number of injuries were caused by contact (46.5%). No differences were found for any of the variables analyzed between outfield players and goalkeepers. CONCLUSION: The injury incidence in rink hockey is moderate, occurring mainly due to a contact mechanism. Preventative measurements should be implemented in rink hockey with a special concern for injuries affecting the hip/groin and head.

Exercise dose affects the circulating microRNA profile in response to acute endurance exercise in male amateur runners.

The systemic response to exercise is dose-dependent and involves a complex gene expression regulation and cross-talk between tissues. This context ARISES the need for analyzing the influence of exercise dose on the profile of circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs), as emerging posttranscriptional regulators and intercellular communicators. Thus, we hypothesized that different exercise doses will determine specific c-miRNA signatures that will highlight its potential as exercise dose biomarker. Nine active middle-aged males completed a 10-km race (10K), a half-marathon (HM), and a marathon (M). Blood samples were collected immediately before and after races. Plasma RNA was extracted, and a global screening of 752 microRNAs was analyzed using RT-qPCR. Three different c-miRNA profiles were defined according to the three doses. In 10K, 14 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed between pre- and post-exercise, 13 upregulated and 1 downregulated. Regarding HM, 13 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially modulated, in all the cases upregulated. A total of 28 c-miRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in M, 21 overexpressed and 7 repressed after this race. We had also found 3 common c-miRNAs between 10K and M and 2 common c-miRNAs between 10K and HM. In silico analysis supported a close association between exercise dose c-miRNA profiles and cellular pathways linked to energy metabolism and cell cycle. In conclusion, we have observed that different exercise doses induced specific c-miRNA profiles. So, our results point to c-miRNAs as emerging exercise dose biomarkers and as one of regulatory mechanisms modulating the response to endurance exercise.

Should respiratory muscle training be part of the treatment of Parkinson's disease? A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of respiratory muscle training in persons with Parkinson's disease. DATA SOURCES: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and PEDro electronic databases were searched until 15 November 2019. Reference lists of included studies were hand-searched. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials assessing the effects of respiratory muscle training programmes (both inspiratory and expiratory) in patients with Parkinson's disease were included. Two reviewers independently identified eligible studies and extracted data. Method quality was appraised with the PEDro scale. RESULTS: Five papers including three randomized controlled trials with a total of 111 patients were identified. Method appraisal showed a mean score of 5 in the PEDro scale. One study analysed inspiratory muscle training, one expiratory muscle training and two established a comparison between both of them. Statistically positive results were found in maximal inspiratory pressure (P < 0.05 and d = 0.76), maximal expiratory pressure (P < 0.01 and d = 1.40), perception of dyspnoea (P < 0.01), swallowing function (d = 0.55) and phonatory measures, without significant differences in spirometric indices. CONCLUSIONS: Respiratory muscle training may be an effective alternative for improving respiratory muscle strength, swallowing function and phonatory parameters in subjects with Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, the lack of primary studies about this type of training prevents obtaining robust evidence.

Acid-sensing ion channels in healthy and degenerated human intervertebral disc.

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of H(+)-gated voltage-insensitive ion channels that respond to extracellular acidification by regulating transmembrane Ca(2+) flux. Moreover, ASICs can also be gated by mechanical forces and may function as mechanosensors. The cells of the intervertebral disc (IVD) have an unusual acidic and hyperosmotic microenvironment. Changes in the pH and osmolarity determine the viability of IVD cells and the composition of the extracellular matrix, and both are the basis of IVD degeneration. In this study, the expression of ASICs (ASIC1, ASIC2, ASIC3 and ASIC4) mRNAs and proteins in human healthy and degenerated IVD was evaluated by quantitative reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. The distribution of ASIC proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry. The mRNAs for all ASICs were detected in normal human IVD, and significantly increased levels were found in degenerated IVD. Western blots demonstrated the presence of proteins with estimated molecular weights of approximately 68-72 kDa. In both the annulus fibrosus (AF) and nucleus pulposus (NP) of normal IVD, ASIC2 is the most frequently expressed ASIC followed by ASIC3, ASIC1 and ASIC4. In the AF of degenerated IVD, there was a significant increase in the number of ASIC1 and ASIC4 positive cells, whereas in the NP, we found significant increase of expression of ASIC1, ASIC2 and ASIC3. These results describe the occurrence and localization of different ASICs in human healthy IVD, and their increased expression in degenerated IVD, thus suggesting that ASICs may be involved in IVD degeneration.

Effects of chitosan and oligochitosan on development and mitochondrial function of Rhizopus stolonifer.

The antifungal activities of chitosan and oligochitosan have been used to control postharvest decay of the fruits. The effect of chitosan and oligochitosan on mycelium growth, spore germination, and mitochondrial function of Rhizopus stolonifer was evaluated in order to establish a connection between fungus development and the main organelle in charge to provide energy to the cell. The mycelium growth of R. stolonifer was significantly reduced on minimum media amended with chitosan or oligochitosan. The highest antifungal indexes were obtained on media containing chitosan or oligochitosan at 2.0 mg ml(-1). Microscopic observation showed that chitosan and oligochitosan affected the spore germination and hyphae morphology. Both polymers increased oxygen consumption of R. stolonifer. Respiratory activity was restored with NADH in permeabilized treated and untreated cells, and was inhibited with rotenone and flavones. Complex III and IV were inhibited by antimycin A and cyanide, respectively, in treated and untreated cells. Chitosan and oligochitosan increased NADH dehydrogenase activity in isolated mitochondria. However, there were not changes in the cytochrome c oxidase and ATPase activities by effect of these polymers. These results suggest that both chitosan and oligochitosan affect the development of R. stolonifer and might be implicated in the mitochondrial dysfunction.

Epidemiology of injuries in elite female rink hockey players: A two season observational study.

OBJECTIVES: To record the time-loss injuries of female rink hockey players and describe the affected region, tissue, and onset of injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey study. SETTING: First (Ok Liga) and Second (Plata) division clubs. PARTICIPANTS: 280 player-seasons. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of overall, training, and match injuries (number of injuries per 1000 h) from two seasons. RESULTS: A total of 229 injuries occurred in 56,438 h of exposure. The overall incidence was 4 injuries per 1000 h (4/1000 h), with a significantly higher rate of injuries during matches (15.2/1000 h) compared to training sessions (2.6/1000 h) (p < 0.001). Injuries affecting the lower limb were the most common (2.3/1000 h), followed by upper limb (1.2/1000 h), and head/trunk (0.6/1000 h). The tissue with the highest incidence of injury was the muscle/tendon (1.3/1000 h), followed by the ligament (0.8/1000 h). Around one in every three injuries (31%) affected either the thigh or hip/groin (73 injuries). CONCLUSIONS: The injury incidence in elite female rink hockey is moderate and occurs mainly during match sessions. Preventative measurements should be implemented in rink hockey with a special concern for injuries affecting the thigh, and hip/groin.

Injury characteristics of young elite inline speed skaters: A one season retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: Determining the rate of injuries related to a certain sport is accepted as the primary step toward designing, implementing and evaluating injury prevention programs. This observational and retrospective study was to examine the injuries sustained by elite young Spanish inline speed skaters during a season. METHODS: Athletes participating in the national championship (n = 80) were surveyed via an anonymous online questionnaire to screen for injury characteristics: incidence, location, and tissue affected; plus training information and demographics. RESULTS: A total of 52 injuries were recorded across 33,351 hours of exposure, which gives a rate of 1.65/1,000 h. The lower body comprised 79% of the total amount of injuries (1.3/1000 h), and the main areas affected were the thigh and foot, accounting for 25% and 19.2% of the recorded injuries, respectively. Musculotendinous injuries were the most frequent, with an incidence of 0.92/1000 h. No significant gender differences were observed for any of the variables studied. CONCLUSION: Speed skating can be considered a low injury rate sport based on our findings. The risk of sustaining an injury was independent of gender, age, and BMI.

Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors: Whole-Genome Sequencing to Assist Management and Prognosis.

Intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IMSCTs) harbor unique genetic mutations which may play a role in prognostication and management. To this end, we present the largest cohort of IMSCTs with genetic characterization in the literature from our multi-site institutional registry. A total of 93 IMSCT patient records were reviewed from the years 1999 to 2020. Out of these, 61 complied with all inclusion criteria, 14 of these patients had undergone genetic studies with 8 undergoing whole-genomic sequencing. Univariate analyses were used to assess any factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) using the Cox proportional hazards model. Firth's penalized likelihood approach was used to account for the low event rates. Fisher's exact test was performed to compare whole-genome analyses and specific gene mutations with progression. PFS (months) was given as a hazard ratio. Only the absence of copy neutral loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was shown to be significant (0.05, p = 0.008). Additionally, higher risk of recurrence/progression was associated with LOH (p = 0.0179). Our results suggest LOH as a genetic predictor of shorter progression-free survival, particularly within ependymoma and glioblastoma tumor types. Further genomic research with larger multi-institutional datasets should focus on these mutations as possible prognostic factors.

The mitochondrial respiratory chain of Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Vuill.

Rhizopus stolonifer (Ehrenb.:Fr.) Vuill mitochondria contain the complete system for oxidative phosphorylation, formed by the classical components of the electron transport chain (complexes I, II, III, and IV) and the F(1)F(0)-ATP synthase (complex V). Using the native gel electrophoresis, we have shown the existence of supramolecular associations of the respiratory complexes. The composition and stoichiometry of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes were similar to those found in other organisms. Additionally, two alternative routes for the oxidation of cytosolic NADH were identified: the alternative NADH dehydrogenase and the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttles. Residual respiratory activity after inhibition of complex IV by cyanide was inhibited by low concentrations of n-octyl gallate, indicating the presence of an alternative oxidase. The K(0.5) for the respiratory substrates NADH, succinate, and glycerol-3-phosphate in permeabilized cells was higher than in isolated mitochondria, suggesting that interactions of mitochondria with other cellular elements might be important for the function of this organelle.

[Innervation of the intervertebral disc]. / La inervación del disco intervertebral.

Until very recently, intervertebral disc innervation was a subject of considerable debate. Nowadays, the introduction of inmunohistochemical techniques associated to specific antibodies and studies with retrograde tracers in nerves have allowed greater understanding of disc innervation in physiological and pathological conditions and also endings characteristics and their patterns of distribution in both situations. The existing controversies regarding structural basis of discogenic pain, have raised the interest of knowing the influence of innervation in back pain from discal origin and its characteristics. Today, we know that pathologic neoinnervation accompanying radial fissures is an important factor in the genesis of discogenic pain; within a complex mechanism in which other neurobiomechemical, inflammatory and biomechanical factors are involved.

The influence of age on aerobic capacity and health indicators of three rescue groups.

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between age, aerobic capacity (V(O2max)) and other health indicators among 3 rescue groups. The type of training and the subjective perception of physical fitness obtained via the Assessment Questionnaire of Physical Fitness were also analysed. To obtain V(O2max), 37 firefighters, 22 lifeguards and 59 mine rescue workers had a treadmill test. Their body mass index and body fat percentage were also calculated. The results show a significant decline in V(O2max) of the older participants, which affects the effectiveness of rescue work. Furthermore, the training of all groups was inconsistent and based on individual needs. Variable training and the decline in V(O2max) with age affected the effectiveness of the rescue tasks of each group.

Injury in CrossFit®: A Systematic Review of Epidemiology and Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: To review the characteristics of the injuries among CrossFit® practitioners, including prevalence and incidence, nature, location, and risk factors. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases were searched from inception through August 2020, and English-language articles reporting on CrossFit®-related injuries were included. Data including sample (sex, age, and demographics) and injuries' characteristics (prevalence, incidence rate, nature, location, percentage of injuries requiring surgery and risk factors) were extracted. RESULTS: Overall, twenty-five studies involving a total of 12,079 CrossFit® practitioners met the inclusion criteria. The mean prevalence of injuries among the included studies was 35.3%, with an incidence rate varying between 0.2 and 18.9 per 1000 hours of training. The most injured areas were shoulder (26%), spine (24%), and knee (18%). Among the studies that reported the injuries requiring surgery, the mean percentage was 8.7%. Regarding the risk factors associated with injuries, older age, male sex, a greater body mass index, the existence of previous injuries, the lack of coach supervision, the experience on CrossFit® and the participation in competitions were reported by the studies. CONCLUSIONS: CrossFit® training has an injury incidence rate similar to weightlifting and powerlifting. Findings from the studies suggest that the most affected areas are shoulder, spine, and knee. The limited quality of the studies prevents us from drawing solid conclusions about injury risk factors.

Development of a Neurosurgical Cadaver Laboratory despite Limited Resources.

OBJECTIVE: Our neurosurgical program did not have a cadaver laboratory. The need to create one arose following a decrease in elective cranial cases at our institution after Hurricane Maria. Many neurosurgical programs are in countries where financial support for projects such as developing a cadaver research laboratory cannot be expected from their parent institutions. This article describes how, despite limited resources, a neurosurgical cadaver dissection laboratory can be created and maintained to promote resident education and stimulate future research. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The University of Puerto Rico Institutional Review Board evaluated and approved the proposal for creating a neurosurgical cadaver laboratory. The process to establish the laboratory was broken into steps. After obtaining the basic materials, the laboratory was created. RESULTS: The creation of our neurosurgical cadaver laboratory was divided into discrete steps that can be undertaken by any institution with a similar goal. First, a suitable workspace was identified. Second, the surgical instruments and equipment required to perform dissections were obtained. Third, cadaveric specimens for dissection and for practicing surgical approaches were acquired. Last, documentation regarding the laboratory's development was maintained, and an expansion plan was created. We created a dissection laboratory by gathering decommissioned or donated operating room equipment, seeking out contributions from other institutions, and, sometimes, by monetary contribution from the faculty or residents. CONCLUSION: Clear goals, interdepartmental collaboration, and a high degree of motivation were essential in creating, despite limited resources, a working neurosurgical cadaver laboratory to improve resident education.

Injury Characteristics among Young Adults during and Immediately after the COVID-19 Lockdown.

The lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic inherently changed people's lifestyles. Forty-eight days of isolation led to worsening physical fitness in addition to the development of other unhealthy habits. The aim of this study was to describe sport-related injuries in the active general population. Physical therapy centres and sports medicine clinics were contacted via e-mail, seeking patients who had sustained an injury during or immediately (up to two weeks) after the lockdown. Patients who agreed to participate completed an online survey that followed the International Olympic Committee Statement. The questionnaire focused on physical exercise habits, type of injury, location and tissue affected. A total of 51 females and 67 males (30.5, SD = 8.8 years) participated in the study. Eighty percent of the participants performed aerobic training sessions, while the rest dedicated their workouts to strength training. Two in every three injuries were located in the lower limbs, and 80% affected the musculoskeletal tissue. Of all the injuries recorded, 67% occurred during the first week after lockdown. The number of aerobic exercise sessions was positively correlated with lower limb injuries (χ2 = 17.12, p < 0.05). Exercise habits should be considered when planning to return to a sport after a period of confinement to avoid injury.

Characterising groin pain in rink hockey: Function and five-second squeeze in Spanish players.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the relationship between history of past season groin pain and current pain during the five-second squeeze test (5SST) with groin function and adductor strength in rink hockey players. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: First (Ok Liga), Second (Plata) and third division (Bronce) clubs. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-eight female and 183 male hockey players. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Seasonal prevalence of groin pain (time/non-time-loss). Adductor strength and pain during the 5SST. Function was evaluated with the Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS). RESULTS: Seasonal time-loss groin pain prevalence was 21%. Male players had 3.5 higher odds of having had an episode of time-loss groin pain during the previous season compared to female players. The adductor relative strength was no different between players with and without previous season groin injury (p = 0.53-0.55), while the HAGOS results differed between groups, with past season groin injury players obtaining lower values in all subscales. HAGOS scores differed between the 5SST pain intensity groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Male players had higher odds of having had a groin injury in the previous season compared to female players. Players with pain during 5SST and previous season groin injury reported functional deficits, while strength remains identical to their healthy counterparts.

Validity of the modified conconi test for determining ventilatory threshold during on-water rowing.

The objectives of this study were to design a field test based on the Conconi protocol to determine the ventilatory threshold of rowers and to test its reliability and validity. A group of sixteen oarsmen completed a modified Conconi test for on-water rowing. The reliability of the detection of the heart rate threshold was evaluated using heart rate breaking point in the Conconi test and retest. Heart rate threshold was detected in 88.8% of cases in the test-retest. The validity of the modified Conconi test was evaluated by comparing the heart rate threshold data acquired with that obtained in a ventilatory threshold test (VT2). No significant differences were found for the values of different intensity parameters i.e. heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), stroke rate (SR) and speed (S) between the heart rate threshold and the ventilatory threshold, (170.9 ± 6.8 vs. 169.3 ± 6.4 beats·min(-1); 42.0 ± 8.6 vs. 43.5 ± 8.3 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1); 25.8 ± 3.3 vs. 27.0 ± 3.2 strokes·min(-1) and 14.4 ± 0.8 vs. 14.6 ± 0.8 km·h(-1)). The differences in averages obtained in the Conconi test-retest were small with a low standard error of the mean. The reliability data between the Conconi test-retest showed low coefficients of variations (CV) and high intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). The total errors for the Conconi test-retest are low for the measured variables (1.31 HR, 0.87 VO2, 0.65 SR, and 0.1 S). The Bland- Altman's method for analysis validity showed a strong concordance according to the analyzed variables. We conclude that the modified Conconi test for on-water rowing is a valid and reliable method for the determination of the second ventilatory threshold (VT2). Key pointsThe Modified Conconi test for on-water rowing is a simple and non-invasive method for the determination of anaerobic threshold for on-water rowing.The modified Conconi protocol for rowing was also shown to be a valid protocol for the calculation of the second ventilatory threshold using the ventilatory method.The Bland-Altman analysis suggests an adequate concordance for the modified Conconi test with the ventilatory method for the measurement of the ventilatory threshold.