A Comparison of Two Intervention Strategies on the Academic Performance of Student-Athletes

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the Model Student Tutor Program (MSTP) when compared with the traditional study table on the academic performance of football players at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse as measured by grades acquired in selected courses. The subjects for this study consisted of eighty-one football players from a Division Ill program, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, in the fall semester of 1989. Participants registered in Biology 100 were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group receiving peer tutoring, one group assigned to the traditional study table, and a control group. Participants registered in 100 level English and history were randomly assigned to one of three groups: one group receiving peer tutoring, one group assigned to the traditional study table, and a control group. Neither of the control groups received the academic intervention. ACT (composite, English, and science) scores were tested for pre-disposing differences. Three hypotheses were developed. The first hypothesis stated that there will be no significant difference in the grades of football players based on the type of intervention for literature-based courses. The second hypothesis stated that there will be no significant difference in the grades of football players, based on the type of intervention for science-based courses. The third hypothesis stated that there will be no significant difference in the grades of football players based on the type of intervention used across course content. Based on the results of an ANOVA, the first hypothesis was rejected while the second and third hypotheses were retained. There was a significant difference between the study table and control group for literature courses. Neither peer tutoring nor study table was significantly effective in improving the performance of football players in science-based classes. It could not be shown that study table or peer tutoring would be more effective if one had to choose between interventions regardless of course content

Increased Expression of Cell-Cell Signaling Genes by Stimulated Mononuclear Leukocytes in Patients with Previous Atherothrombotic Stroke A Whole Genome Expression Profile Study

Background/Aims: Inflammation plays an important role in atherosclerosis and stroke. Acute infections are recognized as trigger factors for ischemic stroke. Methods: In this whole genome expression profile study of 15 patients and 15 control subjects, we tested the hypothesis that patients with a history of atherothrombotic stroke show enhanced transcription of inflammatory genes in circulating leukocytes. RNA from unstimulated or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed with Affymetrix U133A GeneChips using a pooling design. Expression of single genes and functional groups of genes was analyzed by global statistical tests. Results: A total of 10,197 probe sets showed positive calls. After correction for multiple testing no single probe set revealed significant differences either without or with LPS stimulation. However, significant global expression differences were found upon LPS stimulation for the group of genes that are involved in cell-cell signaling. Conclusion: LPS stimulation of PBMCs, a condition mimicking bacterial infection, induces differential expression of a group of cell-cell signaling genes in patients with previous atherothrombotic stroke. This finding can be caused by genetic differences between both groups, but acquired risk factors, medication and technical factors may also have contributed to the result. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Base

Cyclic Voltammetry of Phenazines and Quinoxalines Including Mono- and Di-N-Oxides. Relation to Structure and Antimicrobial Activity

Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for eight phenazines and phenazine-N-oxides, and eleven quinoxalines and quinoxaline-N-oxides: 1,6-phenazinediol-5,10-dioxide (iodinin), iodinin copper complex, 6-methoxy-1-phenazinol-5,10-dioxide (myxin), myxin copper complex, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine-5,10-dioxide, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine-5-oxide, 1,6-phenazinediol, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine, quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-methylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-carboxyquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 5-hydroxyquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 5-hydroxy-8-methoxyquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-methylquinoxaline, 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline, 5-hydroxyquinoxaline, 5-hydroxy-8-methoxyquinoxaline and 2-(2-quinoxalinylmethylene)hydrazine carboxylic acid methyl ester-1,4-dioxide (Carbadox). The di-N-oxides exhibit the most positive E12 values within each class. Reversible first wave reductions were observed for iodinin, iodinin copper complex, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine-5-oxide, 1,6-dimethoxyphenazine, quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide, 2-methylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide and 2,3-diphenylquinoxaline-1,4-dioxide. The results are correlated with structure. Some relationships exist between reduction potential and reported antimicrobial activity. A possible mechanism of drug action is addressed

An Integrated Concept of Amebicidal Action: Electron Transfer and Oxy Radicals

Cyclic voltammetry data were obtained for most of the main categories of antiamebic agents, specifically, quinones, heterocyclic nitro compounds, metal derivatives and chelators, and iminium-type ions. The reductions (our data and literature values) were for the most part reversible, with potentials usually in the favorable range of +0.10 to −0.56 V. The drug effect is believed to result generally from the catalytic production of oxidative stress usually arising from the formation of superoxide via electron transfer. In addition, relevant literature data are provided