Improvement in strength following resistance training in MS patients despite varied disability levels.

Strength and endurance data from 67 participants with multiple sclerosis (MS) were compared before, during and after a 6-month program of standardized resistance training. The hypothesis was that a standardized, structured resistance training exercise program improves strength in MS patients with different levels of disability. The range of EDSS scores was 1-8: (40% - EDSS of 1-4.5), (35% - EDSS of 5-7) (25% - EDSS of 7.5 or higher). This unique study evaluated patients with differing levels of disability for a change in strength and endurance following a 6-month training program. Data were analyzed by repeat measures and analysis of variables using Proc GLM in SAS to account for variability between subjects, and within subjects, due to repeated measures at 3 time points. Each treatment was blocked by disability class. Every within-treatment analysis was significant. Each exercise showed significant improvement in strength for participants, despite disability levels. Increases in strength followed parallel improvement pathways, at all disability levels. All but one treatment displayed highly significant improvement (p-value < 0.0001). The results demonstrated that all individuals with MS, despite disability levels, show parallel improvement in strength and endurance. This study supports the use of exercise, including resistance programs, for all MS patients.

Febrile response and decrease in circulating lymphocytes following acute infection of white-tailed deer fawns with either a BVDV1 or a BVDV2 strain.

Although commonly associated with infection in cattle, bovine viral diarrhea viruses (BVDV) also replicate in many domestic and wildlife species, including cervids. Bovine viral diarrhea viruses have been isolated from a number of cervids, including mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), red deer (Cervus elaphus), white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), and mouse deer (Tragulus javanicus), but little information is available regarding clinical presentation and progression of infection in these species. In preliminary studies of experimental infection of deer with BVDV, researchers noted seroconversion but no clinical signs. In this study, we infected white-tailed deer fawns that were negative for BVDV and for antibodies against BVDV, with either a type 1 or a type 2 BVDV that had been isolated from white-tailed deer. Fawns were monitored for changes in basal temperature, circulating lymphocytes, and platelets. The clinical progression following inoculation in these fawns was similar to that seen with BVDV infections in cattle and included fever and depletion of circulating lymphocytes. Because free-ranging cervid populations are frequently in contact with domestic cattle in the United States, possible transfer of BVDV between cattle and cervids has significant implications for proposed BVDV control programs.