Segmented forefoot plate in basketball footwear: Does it influence performance and foot joint kinematics and kinetics?

This study examined the effects of shoes’ segmented forefoot stiffness on athletic performance and ankle and metatarsophalangeal joint kinematics and kinetics in basketball movements. Seventeen university basketball players performed running vertical jumps and 5-msprints atmaximumeffort with 3 basketball shoes of various forefoot plate conditions (medial plate, medial + lateral plates, and no-plate control). One-way repeated measures ANOVAs were used to examine the differences in athletic performance, joint kinematics, and joint kinetics among the 3 footwear conditions (α = .05). Results indicated that participants wearing medial + lateral plates shoes demonstrated 2.9% higher jump height than those wearing control shoes (P = .02), but there was no significant differences between medial plate and control shoes (P \u3e .05). Medial plate shoes produced greater maximum plantar flexion velocity than the medial + lateral plates shoes (P \u3c .05) during sprinting. There were no significant differences in sprint time. These findings implied that inserting plates spanning both the medial and lateral aspects of the forefoot could enhance jumping, but not sprinting performances. The use of a medial plate alone, although induced greater plantar flexion velocity at the metatarsophalangeal joint during sprinting, was not effective in improving jump heights or sprint times

Results of a Pilot Walking School Bus Program to Prevent Obesity in Hispanic Elementary School Children

Thirty-three percent of children, 6-11years, in the US are overweight or obese.1 Walking to school is an affordable mode of transportation that may help reduce this high prevalence of childhood obesity.2 The Walking School Bus (WSB) is an innovative program designed to cut down on traffic congestion while providing a safe way to walk children to school.3 We are aware of no published studies examining the impact of this specific program on obesity prevention. In addition, low-income and minority neighborhoods have been underrepresented in the walkability literature.4 Therefore, we tested the feasibility of a modified WSB program in a low-income minority neighborhood as a strategy to prevent childhood obesity

Floating particles with high copper concentration in the sea-surface microlayer

This study sought to clarify whether suspended particles containing high Cu concentrations are present in the sea-surface microlayer (S-SML). For this reason, suspended particles (10-2000 μm) in the S-SML were collected periodically from a ship mooring pond during 2018-2020, and the acid-soluble Cu concentration in the suspended particles was measured as particulate Cu (P-Cu). The highest concentration of P-Cu in the S-SML of the pond was 75 μg L-1 with a 90th percentile value of 2.5 μg L-1. This is below P-Cu values reported for the S-SML in North American ports, but 140 times higher than this found in bulk seawater in the Atlantic Ocean. The highest P-Cu concentration in the S-SML of non-organism (abiotic) origin was 17 μg L-1, and the abiotic P-Cu to P-Cu ratio varied from 0.2 to 100%, likely depending on the quality and quantity of biogenic material in the S-SML samples. It is assumed that the S-SML particles examined here contain high Cu concentrations originating from ship antifouling paints

Bioinformatic analysis and purification of glutathione transferase (GST) from Pseudomonas sp. UW4

The study aimed at identifying and purifying cytosolic glutathione transferase isoforms expressed in Pseudomonas sp. UW4. Search at UniProt (https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/), has indicated that there were 20 genes encoding putative glutathione transferases for the microorganism. The molecular weights of the isoforms ranged from 17.6 to 34.06 kDa. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the GST purified using Sulfobromophthalein-glutathione (BSP) affinity column, resolved into a single band with a low molecular weight (MW) of 16 kDa with the pI value of 6.0. Purified GST was reactive towards ethacrynic acid, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, cumene hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide, but no detectable activity with Trans-2-octenal, hepta-2,4-dienal and Trans-4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one. This has proven that putative GST possessed peroxidase activity and proposed to be similar to PputUW4_00801 (putative glutathione S-transferase) of Pseudomonas sp. UW4 according to its estimated molecular weight and the pI values obtained experimentally

Bioinformatic analysis and purification of Glutathione Transferase (GST) from Pseudomonas sp. UW4

The study aimed at identifying and purifying cytosolic glutathione transferase isoforms expressed in Pseudomonas sp. UW4. Search at UniProt (https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/), has indicated that there were 20 genes encoding putative glutathione transferases for the microorganism. The molecular weights of the isoforms ranged from 17.6 to 34.06 kDa. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed that the GST purified using Sulfobromophthalein-glutathione (BSP) affinity column, resolved into a single band with a low molecular weight (MW) of 16 kDa with the pI value of 6.0. Purified GST was reactive towards ethacrynic acid, 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene, cumene hydroxide, and hydrogen peroxide, but no detectable activity with Trans-2-octenal, hepta-2,4-dienal and Trans-4-phenyl-3-butene-2-one. This has proven that putative GST possessed peroxidase activity and proposed to be similar to PputUW4_00801 (putative glutathione S-transferase) of Pseudomonas sp. UW4 according to its estimated molecular weight and the pI values obtained experimentally

Down regulation of acrolein on corticosterone secretion in male rats

Acrolein is a small unsaturated aldehyde and can be found in a wide range of resources including all types of smoke and exhaust gases from gasoline engines. Although the toxicity and damage of acrolein have been recognized, the action mechanisms of acrolein, especially that of acrolein on the response of stresshormones are still unclear. The present study hypothesized that administration of acrolein altered the secretion of both adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and corticosterone via the regulation of steroid biosynthetic pathway in rat zona fasciculata-reticularis (ZFR) cells. Both in vivo and in vitro approaches were uased. In the in vivo study, intraperitonal injection of acrolein (2 mg/ml/kg) once daily for 1 or 3 days resulted in a reduction of plasma levels of ACTH and corticosterone as well as the intracellular cAMP and ACTH-induced secretion of corticosterone. The protein expression of ACTH receptor (ACTHR) in rat ZFR cells was also reduced by 40-60% after treatment of acrolein for 1 day and 3 days, respectively. In the in vitro study, rat ZFR cells were prepared and chanllenged with ACTH (10-9 M), forskolin (an adenylyl cyclase activitior, 10-5 M), 8-Br-cAMP (a permeable synthetic cAMP, 5x10-5 M), 25-OH-cholesterol (10-5 M) ± trilostane (an inhibitor of 3?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, 3?-HSD, 10-5 M). The evoked release of corticosterone by ACTH, forskolin, 8-Br-cAMP and the induced release of pregnenolone in response to 25-OH-cholesterol plus triolostane were decreased. Since the accumulation of pregnenolone after blocking 3?-HSD by trilostane represents the activity of P450scc, therate-limiting step of steroid biosynthesis, we suggest that not only the cAMP pathway was inhibited, but also the enzyme activity of P450scc was attenuated following administration of acrolein. Although insignificant, the protein expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) was decreased by 40% in ZFR cells after treatment of acrolein in vivo. Incubation of ZFR cells with acrolein (10-9~10-7 M) also decreased the in vitro release of corticosterone. These results suggest that administration of acrolein inhibited corticosterone production via the attenuation of cAMP pathway, StAR protein expression, and the enzyme activity of P450scc. The attenuation of protein expression of ACTHR (also named melanocortin 2 receptor, MC2R) and reduced secrection of ACTH indicated that the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (H-P-A) axis was also down- regulated by the administration of acrolein

Neurotrophic factor GDNF promotes survival of salivary stem cells

Stem cell-based regenerative therapy is a promising treatment for head and neck cancer patients that suffer from chronic dry mouth (xerostomia) due to salivary gland injury from radiation therapy. Current xerostomia therapies only provide temporary symptom relief, while permanent restoration of salivary function is not currently feasible. Here, we identified and characterized a stem cell population from adult murine submandibular glands. Of the different cells isolated from the submandibular gland, this specific population, Lin-CD24+c-Kit+Sca1+, possessed the highest capacity for proliferation, self renewal, and differentiation during serial passage in vitro. Serial transplantations of this stem cell population into the submandibular gland of irradiated mice successfully restored saliva secretion and increased the number of functional acini. Gene-expression analysis revealed that glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf) is highly expressed in Lin-CD24+c-Kit+Sca1+ stem cells. Furthermore, GDNF expression was upregulated upon radiation therapy in submandibular glands of both mice and humans. Administration of GDNF improved saliva production and enriched the number of functional acini in submandibular glands of irradiated animals and enhanced salisphere formation in cultured salivary stem cells, but did not accelerate growth of head and neck cancer cells. These data indicate that modulation of the GDNF pathway may have potential therapeutic benefit for management of radiation-induced xerostomia

Results and lessons learnt from the WISTERIA phase I trial combining AZD1775 with cisplatin pre- or post-operatively in head and neck cancer

Background: Pre-clinical studies suggest AZD1775, a WEE1 kinase inhibitor, potentiates the activity of various chemotherapeutic agents. Methods: WISTERIA was a prospective, parallel two-group, open-label, dose-finding, phase I clinical trial. Eligible patients had histologically confirmed oral, laryngeal, or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, ECOG performance status 0/1, and aged ≥18-to-≤70 years. Primary outcomes were adverse events and defining recommended dose and schedule of AZD1775 in combination with cisplatin in pre-operative (Group A), or with cisplatin/radiotherapy in post-operative (Group B) patients. Dose determination was guided by a modified time-to-event continual reassessment method (mTITE-CRM). Results: Between 30-Oct-2017 and 15-Jul-2019, nine patients were registered: Three into Group A and six into Group B. WISTERIA was closed early due to poor recruitment. Five dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were reported in four Group B patients. Seven serious adverse events were reported in four patients: One in Group A, and three in Group B. Three were related to treatment. No treatment-related deaths were reported. Conclusions: WISTERIA did not complete its primary objectives due to poor recruitment and toxicities reported in Group B. However, use of the novel mTITE-CRM improved flexibility in reducing accrual suspension periods and should be considered for future trials in complex patient populations. Clinical Trial Registration: ISRCTN7629195

Ocean Color Algorithm for the Retrieval of the Particle Size Distribution and Carbon-Based Phytoplankton Size Classes Using a Two-Component Coated-Spheres Backscattering Model

The particle size distribution (PSD) of suspended particles in near-surface seawater is a key property linking biogeochemical and ecosystem characteristics with optical properties that affect ocean color remote sensing. Phytoplankton size affects their physiological characteristics and ecosystem and biogeochemical roles, e.g. in the biological carbon pump, which has an important role in the global carbon cycle and thus climate. It is thus important to develop capabilities for measurement and predictive understanding of the structure and function of oceanic ecosystems, including the PSD, phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) and phytoplankton functional types (PFTs). Here, we present an ocean color satellite algorithm for the retrieval of the parameters of an assumed power-law PSD. The forward optical model considers two distinct particle populations (particle assemblage categories) &mdash; phytoplankton and non-algal particles (NAP). Phytoplankton are modeled as coated spheres following the Equivalent Algal Populations (EAP) framework, and NAP are modeled as homogeneous spheres. The forward model uses Mie and Aden-Kerker scattering computations, for homogeneous and coated spheres (for phytoplankton and NAP, respectively) to model the total particulate spectral backscattering coefficient as the sum of phytoplankton and NAP backscattering. The PSD retrieval is achieved via Spectral Angle Mapping (SAM) which uses backscattering end-members created by the forward model. The PSD is used to retrieve size-partitioned absolute and fractional phytoplankton carbon concentrations (i.e. carbon-based PSCs), as well as particulate organic carbon (POC), using allometric coefficients. The EAP-based formulation allows for the estimation of chlorophyll-a concentration via the retrieved PSD, as well as the estimation of the percent of backscattering due to NAP vs. phytoplankton. The PSD algorithm is operationally applied to the merged Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (OC-CCI) v5.0 ocean color data set. Results of an initial validation effort are also presented, using PSD, POC, and pico-phytoplankton carbon in-situ measurements. Validation results indicate the need for an empirical tuning for the absolute phytoplankton carbon concentrations; however these results and comparison with other phytoplankton carbon algorithms are ambiguous as to the need for the tuning. The latter finding illustrates the continued need for high-quality, consistent, large global data sets of phytoplankton carbon and related variables to facilitate future algorithm improvements.</p

Adverse prognostic and predictive significance of low DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) expression in early-stage breast cancers

Background: DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs), a serine threonine kinase belonging to the PIKK family (phosphoinositide 3-kinase-like-family of protein kinase), is a critical component of the non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathway required for the repair of DNA double strand breaks. DNA-PKcs may be involved in breast cancer pathogenesis. Methods: We evaluated clinicopathological significance of DNA-PKcs protein expression in 1161 tumours and DNA-PKcs mRNA expression in 1950 tumours. We correlated DNA-PKcs to other markers of aggressive phenotypes, DNA repair, apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Results: Low DNA-PKcs protein expression was associated with higher tumour grade, higher mitotic index, tumour de-differentiation and tumour type (ps<0.05). Absence of BRCA1, low XRCC1/SMUG1/APE1/Polβ were also more likely in low DNA-PKcs expressing tumours (ps<0.05). Low DNA-PKcs protein expression was significantly associated with worse breast cancer specific survival (BCCS) in univariate and multivariate analysis (ps<0.01). At the mRNA level, low DNA-PKcs was associated with PAM50.Her2 and PAM50.LumA molecular phenotypes (ps<0.01) and poor BCSS. In patients with ER positive tumours who received endocrine therapy, low DNA-PKcs (protein and mRNA) was associated with poor survival. In ER negative patients, low DNA-PKcs mRNA remains significantly associated with adverse outcome. Conclusions: Our study suggests that low DNA-PKcs expression may have prognostic and predictive significance in breast cancers