Paper Session III-C - From Motomir to Meditrain: Medical Instrumentation as Spin-Off from Space Application

The medical instrument MEDITRAIN r (patented) is a computer controlled electromechanical ergometer, which can be used in the neuro-physiological and metabolic analysis of the human motoric system and can be applied in the training, diagnostics & rehabilitation of muscles of the upper or lower extremities. The design is based on the flight hardware experiment MOTOMIR , which was developed in the context of the joint Austro-Soviet Space Mission AUSTROMIR to the MIR Space Station. MOTOMIR was launched in August 1991 and was in use aboard the space station for basic muscle research and training of the Cosmonauts up to August 1992. The functional principle of MEDITRAIN is based on the generation of precisely defined motion patterns through velocity controlled translatoric movement of two handles, to which the arms or legs of the patient are latched. These movements can be pre-defined as series of cyclic or acyclic runs of variable duration and velocity between defined start and end points. Via strain gauges in the handles, the isometric, concentric and eccentric forces exerted by the respective muscles are recorded in relation to the position & velocity of the handles (i.e. in relation to the angle and velocity of the respective extremity). In parallel, Electro-Myographic (EMG), Electro-Oculargraphic (EOG) and Electro-Cardiographic (ECG) measurements are performed and correlated to the force and machine data. MEDITRAIN currently offers up to 32 analog channels operating at a standard sampling rate of 1 kHz. All measurement data can be displayed in real-time and are stored together with the personal data of the respective patient

Genetic testing for exercise prescription and injury prevention: AIS-Athlome consortium-FIMS joint statement

Abstract Background There has been considerable growth in basic knowledge and understanding of how genes are influencing response to exercise training and predisposition to injuries and chronic diseases. On the basis of this knowledge, clinical genetic tests may in the future allow the personalisation and optimisation of physical activity, thus providing an avenue for increased efficiency of exercise prescription for health and disease. Results This review provides an overview of the current status of genetic testing for the purposes of exercise prescription and injury prevention. As such there are a variety of potential uses for genetic testing, including identification of risks associated with participation in sport and understanding individual response to particular types of exercise. However, there are many challenges remaining before genetic testing has evidence-based practical applications; including adoption of international standards for genomics research, as well as resistance against the agendas driven by direct-to-consumer genetic testing companies. Here we propose a way forward to develop an evidence-based approach to support genetic testing for exercise prescription and injury prevention. Conclusion Based on current knowledge, there is no current clinical application for genetic testing in the area of exercise prescription and injury prevention, however the necessary steps are outlined for the development of evidence-based clinical applications involving genetic testing

Collateral Health Issues Derived from the Covid-19 Pandemic.

At the end of 2019, a new coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak occurred in Wuhan, China, and spread throughout the world despite efforts to contain the virus. At the end of January 2020, the General Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and by mid-May 2020, the worldwide number of known Covid-19 cases had surpassed 4.4 million including more than 300,000 deaths..

Negative Supercoiling Creates Single-Stranded Patches of DNA That Are Substrates for AID–Mediated Mutagenesis

Antibody diversification necessitates targeted mutation of regions within the immunoglobulin locus by activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID). While AID is known to act on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), the source, structure, and distribution of these substrates in vivo remain unclear. Using the technique of in situ bisulfite treatment, we characterized these substrates—which we found to be unique to actively transcribed genes—as short ssDNA regions, that are equally distributed on both DNA strands. We found that the frequencies of these ssDNA patches act as accurate predictors of AID activity at reporter genes in hypermutating and class switching B cells as well as in Escherichia coli. Importantly, these ssDNA patches rely on transcription, and we report that transcription-induced negative supercoiling enhances both ssDNA tract formation and AID mutagenesis. In addition, RNaseH1 expression does not impact the formation of these ssDNA tracts indicating that these structures are distinct from R-loops. These data emphasize the notion that these transcription-generated ssDNA tracts are one of many in vivo substrates for AID

Letter to the editor entitled “fairness and scientific correctness is needed in the debate on transgender athletes”

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