Rev and Rex proteins of human complex retroviruses function with the MMTV Rem-responsive element

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Australian University Nursing and Allied Health Students’ and Staff Physical Activity Promotion Preparedness and Knowledge: A Pre-Post Study Using an Educational Intervention

The promotion of physical activity (PA) by health professionals is a key strategy to increase PA levels in the population. In this study, we investigated PA promotion, preparedness, and knowledge among university nursing and allied health students and staff, as well as PA resource usage within curricula, before and after an educational intervention. Students and staff from 13 health disciplines at one Australian university were invited to complete an online survey, and a curriculum audits were conducted before and after PA teaching resources were promoted by academic PA champions (n = 14). A total of 299 students and 43 staff responded to the survey pre-intervention, and 363 and 32 responded to the post-intervention, respectively. PA promotion role perception (≥93%) and confidence to provide general PA advice (≥70%) were high throughout the study. Knowledge of PA guidelines was poor (3–10%). Students of physiotherapy, sport and exercise science, as well as more active students, were more likely to be aware of the PA guidelines (p < 0.05). Over 12 months, PA promotion preparedness and knowledge did not change significantly, nor was there a change in the amount of PA content delivered, despite a significant increase in the use of the teaching resources across a number of disciplines (p = 0.007). Future research should be carried out to investigate the implementation of the resources over time and to develop additional strategies for PA promotion and education scaffolded across curricula

Muscle Phenotypic Variability in Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy 2 G

Abstract Limb girdle muscular dystrophy type 2 G (LGMD2G) is caused by mutations in the telethonin gene. Only few families were described presenting this disease, and they are mainly Brazilians. Here, we identified one additional case carrying the same common c.157C &gt; T mutation in the telethonin gene but with an atypical histopathological muscle pattern. In a female patient with a long duration of symptoms (46 years), muscle biopsy showed, in addition to telethonin deficiency, the presence of nemaline rods, type 1 fiber predominance, nuclear internalization, lobulated fibers, and mitochondrial paracrystalline inclusions. Her first clinical signs were identified at 8 years old, which include tiptoe walking, left lower limb deformity, and frequent falls. Ambulation loss occurred at 41 years old, and now, at 54 years old, she presented pelvic girdle atrophy, winging scapula, foot deformity with incapacity to perform ankle dorsiflexion, and absent tendon reflexes. The presence of nemaline bodies could be a secondary phenomenon, possibly associated with focal Z-line abnormalities of a long-standing disease. However, these new histopathological findings, characteristic of congenital myopathies, expand muscle phenotypic variability of telethoninopathy

Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA): What do we know about its incidence and impact?

BACKGROUND: Shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA) has been recognised as the compensable term for any shoulder injury that may result from an improper vaccination technique since 2017, however, its incidence and impact remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVES: To examine knowledge of SIRVA through reported cases, determine SIRVA incidence related to COVID-19 vaccinations, and investigate recovery rates. METHODS: Six pharmacovigilance agencies in the United States of America (USA), Canada, United Kingdom, European Union, Australia, and New Zealand were systematically search to identify all reported cases of SIRVA between January 2017 to July 2021. Primary outcome measures were SIRVA case reports. Secondary outcome measures included recovery status as well as vaccine received, age, and sex. SIRVA-related outcome measures were retrieved between July 18th and July 22nd 2021, with UK data received via personal correspondence. RESULTS: Retrospective analysis yielded 505 SIRVA cases since 2017, with 330 (65%) of cases reported from January to July 2021. Sub-analysis, using COVID-19 data of 189 SIRVA cases from 891,906,986 vaccinations, estimated incidence to be 2 per 10 million. 32 cases (7%) had recovered from symptoms at the time of reporting, with 311 (62%) reported as ‘not recovered’, and 162 cases (32%) ‘unknown’. Females represented 75% of reported cases. CONCLUSION: SIRVA case report numbers and incidence from COVID-19 data, compared with prior evidence, raises questions around health practitioner knowledge and reporting accuracy of SIRVA. Recovery rates are poorly understood. A global consensus definition of SIRVA and more transparent and routine reporting is required. The disproportionate representation of females is of concern with no known reasons for this disparity. Further research is needed on SIRVA knowledge in healthcare practitioners, reporting rates, incidence, management, and long-term outcomes for those impacted. Pharmacist vaccinators should be aware of their role in preventing SIRVA and be active in its detection

Structural damping of model sandwich structures using tailored shear thickening fluid compositions

Shear thickening fluids (STF) demonstrate the ability to simultaneously stiffen and increase their damping capacity above a critical shear strain, which depends on the particle concentration and aspect ratio in the STF. The present work considers two types of STF differing by their particle size distribution: one is monodisperse and the other one is based on aggregates. The focus is on the ability to model and predict the behaviour of sandwich structures containing these fluids at confined interfaces. The rheological properties of the STF are first measured as a function of strain and frequency. Damping characteristics of model sandwich beams are then measured, and a finite element model using Timoschenko beams is proposed to predict the flexural compliance of the beams as a function of frequency. The model uses the strain-and frequency-dependent values of elastic and storage shear moduli of the suspensions. Good agreement is obtained, indicating that this approach could possibly be used as an inverse method to determine the rheological properties of STF beyond the range of the usual rheometers

Hardness and posting of foot orthoses modify plantar contact area, plantar pressure, and perceived comfort when cycling

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of hardness and posting of orthoses on plantar profile and perceived comfort and support during cycling. Design: A repeated measures study with randomised order of orthoses, hardness, and posting conditions. Methods: Twenty-three cyclists cycled at a cadence of 90 rpm and a perceived exertion rating of twelve. Contoured soft and hard orthoses with or without a medial forefoot or lateral forefoot post were evaluated. Plantar contact area, mean pressure and peak pressure were measured for nine plantar regions using the pedar®-X system and represented as a percentage of the total (CA%, MP%, and PP% respectively). Perceived comfort and support was rated on a visual analogue scale. Results: The softer orthosis significantly increased CA% (p = 0.014) across the midfoot and heel with a decrease in the toe region and forefoot. MP% (p = 0.034) and PP% (p = 0.012) were significantly increased at the mid and lateral forefoot with reductions in MP% at the midfoot and in PP% at the hallux and toes. Forefoot posting significantly increased CA% (p = 0.018) at the toes and forefoot and decreased it at the heel. PP% was significantly altered (p = 0.013) based on posting position. Lateral forefoot posting significantly decreased heel comfort (p = 0.036). Conclusion: When cycling, a soft, contoured orthosis increased contact across the midfoot and heel, modulating forefoot and midfoot plantar pressures but not altering comfort or support. Forefoot postings significantly modified contact areas and plantar pressures and reduced comfort at the heel

Hardness and posting of foot orthoses modify plantar contact area, plantar pressure, and perceived comfort when cycling

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of hardness and posting of orthoses on plantar profile and perceived comfort and support during cycling. Design: A repeated measures study with randomised order of orthoses, hardness, and posting conditions. Methods: Twenty-three cyclists cycled at a cadence of 90rpm and a perceived exertion rating of twelve. Contoured soft and hard orthoses with or without a medial forefoot or lateral forefoot post were evaluated. Plantar contact area, mean pressure and peak pressure were measured for nine plantar regions using the pedar-X system and represented as a percentage of the total (CA%, MP%, and PP% respectively). Perceived comfort and support was rated on a visual analogue scale. Results: The softer orthosis significantly increased CA% (p = 0.014) across the midfoot and heel with a decrease in the toe region and forefoot. MP% (p = 0.034) and PP% (p = 0.012) were significantly increased at the mid and lateral forefoot with reductions in MP% at the midfoot and in PP% at the hallux and toes. Forefoot posting significantly increased CA% (p = 0.018) at the toes and forefoot and decreased it at the heel. PP% was significantly altered (p = 0.013) based on posting position. Lateral forefoot posting significantly decreased heel comfort (p = 0.036). Conclusion: When cycling, a soft, contoured orthosis increased contact across the midfoot and heel, modulating forefoot and midfoot plantar pressures but not altering comfort or support. Forefoot postings significantly modified contact areas and plantar pressures and reduced comfort at the heel

Contoured in-shoe foot orthoses increase mid-foot plantar contact area when compared with a flat insert during cycling

Objectives: To determine the effect of contouring of an in-shoe foot orthosis on plantar contact area and surface pressure, as well as perceived comfort and support at the foot-orthosis interface during stationary cycling

Endogenous retroviruses and cancer

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) abound in avian and mammalian genomes, including humans, as a result of germline infections by exogenous retroviruses. Most ERVs are defective for production of infectious virus. The defectiveness of ERVs is generally inversely correlated with the length of their residence in the host germline. These ERVs affect retrovirus-induced disease in a number of ways, including manipulation of the immune response, inhibition or facilitation of entry or other steps of virus replication, or as participants in the generation of infectious pathogenic viruses. Ancient ERVs likely have neutral or beneficial roles for the hosts that carry them. However, multiple examples show that additional pathogenic retroviruses will continue to emerge using ERVs as a source of genetic diversity