Rye grass is associated with fewer non-contact anterior cruciate ligament injuries than bermuda grass.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the contribution of ground variables including grass type to the rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in the Australian Football League (AFL), specifically which factors are primarily responsible for previously observed warm season and early season biases for ACL injuries. METHODS: Grass types used at the major AFL venues from 1992 to 2004 were established by consultation with ground managers, and ground hardness and other weather variables were measured prospectively. RESULTS: There were 115 ACL injuries occurring in matches during the survey time period, 88 with a non-contact mechanism. In multivariate analysis, use of bermuda (couch) grass as opposed to rye grass, higher grade of match, and earlier stage of the season were independent risk factors for non-contact ACL injury. Ground hardness readings did not show a significant association with ACL injury risk, whereas weather variables of high evaporation and low prior rainfall showed univariate association with injury risk but could not be entered into a logistic regression equation. DISCUSSION: Rye grass appears to offer protection against ACL injury compared with bermuda (couch) grass fields. The likely mechanism is reduced "trapping" of football boots by less thatch. Grass species as a single consideration cannot fully explain the ACL early season bias, but is probably responsible for the warm season bias seen in the AFL. Weather variables previously identified as predictors are probably markers for predominance of bermuda over rye grass in mixed fields.

Two large British kindreds with familial Parkinson's disease: a clinico-pathological and genetic study.

We present the findings of a study of two large unrelated kindreds with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease. The affected members were assessed clinically and with [(18)F]6-fluorodopa-PET and were indistinguishable from patients with the sporadic form of Parkinson's disease. In one kindred, an affected member was examined subsequently at autopsy and Lewy bodies were present in a distribution typical of sporadic Parkinson's disease. These kindreds are distinct from other Parkinsonian kindreds with identified genetic loci (PARK1-4) and provide further evidence for genetic heterogeneity in familial Parkinson's disease.

Structures of four methyltetrazole-containing antiviral compounds in human rhinovirus serotype 14.

Four novel antiviral WIN compounds, that contain a methyl tetrazole ring as well as isoxazole, pyridazine or acetylfuran rings, have had their structures determined in human rhinovirus serotype 14 at 2.9 A resolution. These compounds bind in the VP1 hydrophobic pocket, but are shifted significantly towards the pocket pore when compared to previously examined WIN compounds. A putative water network at the pocket pore is positioned to hydrogen bond with these four WIN compounds, and this network can account for potency differences seen in structurally similar WIN compounds.

Picornavirus inhibitors: trifluoromethyl substitution provides a global protective effect against hepatic metabolism.

Several modifications of the oxazoline ring of WIN 54954, a broad spectrum antipicornavirus compound, have been prepared in order to address the acid lability and metabolic instability of this compound. We have previously shown that the oxadiazole analogue 3 displayed comparable activity against a variety of rhinoviruses and appeared to be stable to acid. A monkey liver microsomal assay was developed to examine the metabolic stability in vitro of both compounds, and it was determined that WIN 54954 displayed 18 metabolic products while 3 was converted to 8 products. Two major products of 3 were determined by LC-MS/MS to be monohydroxylated at each of the terminal methyl groups. Replacement of the methyl on the isoxazole ring with a trifluoromethyl group, while preventing hydroxylation at this position, did not reduce the sensitivity of the molecule to microsomal metabolism at other sites. However, the (trifluoromethyl)oxadiazole 9 not only prevented hydroxylation at this position but also provided protection at the isoxazole end of the molecule, resulting in only two minor products to the extent of 4%. The major product was identified as the monohydroxylated compound 23. The global metabolic protective effect of trifluoromethyl group on the oxadiazole ring was further demonstrated by examining a variety of analogues including heterocyclic replacements of the isoxazole ring. In each case, the trifluoromethyl analogue displayed a protective effect when compared to the corresponding methyl analogue.

Double blind controlled trial of deanol in tardive dyskinesia.

Thirty three chronic psychiatric hospital subjects with oral tardive dyskinesia were divided into three groups. The subjects were matched for severity of symptoms then randomly assigned to treatment with a placebo, 1 g deanol or 2 g deanol per day. Statistical analysis showed that after 30 days treatment, there was a significant reduction in the mean rating of the movements of the group of 11 subjects on 2 g deanol per day. Six of these subjects showed substantial reduction in movement. Further studies using this dosage of deanol are unwarranted.