Variations in EMG Activity in Lower Leg Musculature with Use of the Biomechanical Ankle Platform System (BAPS)

Ankle sprains account for 17% to 20% of all injuries in most sports. Other ankle conditions such as posterior tibialis tendon disorder and Achilles tendinosis are quite common in the nonathletic population and require many of the same interventions. Some of these interventions include range of motion, stretching, strengthening and proprioception. Many studies have shown that strength and proprioceptive training are the intervention of choice for those with lateral ankle instability. Many of these studies have supported the use of BAPS in improving proprioception among individuals with lateral ankle instability, however there is only one study examining the use of BAPS for strengthening of the ankle musculature. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity level of lower leg musculature when using the BAPS with and without weights positioned on each quadrant of the board. This study focused on inversion and eversion motions, due to the frequency seen clinically of lateral instability resulting from ankle sprains. Twenty healthy female and ten healthy male volunteers from the community, faculty, staff, and student population at the University of North Dakota participated in the study. Electrodes were placed over the four muscles of interest (gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus) on the dominant lower extremity of each subject. Following practice repetitions, each subject performed trials of exercises on the BAPS, with and without weights positioned on each quadrant of the board as determined by random selection, in an eversion/inversion direction, while EMG recordings were made from the four muscles of interest. Results showed no significant difference in the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius, soleus, or anterior tibialis muscles among the 5 different weight placement conditions. A significant difference in EMG activity was found for peroneus longus when comparing all positions except for no weight vs anterolateral, no weight vs anteromedial, and anterolateral vs anteromedial. The difference in EMG activity of peroneus longus was the greatest with weight in the posterolateral position of the BAPS board. The results indicate an increase in EMG activity of peroneus longus with straight plane exercises. These findings further support the use of straight plane BAPS exercises for strengthening of the PL following an inversion ankle sprain

Prevalence and diversity of TAL effector-like proteins in fungal endosymbiotic Mycetohabitans spp.

Endofungal Mycetohabitans (formerly Burkholderia) spp. rely on a type III secretion system to deliver mostly unidentified effector proteins when colonizing their host fungus, Rhizopus microsporus. The one known secreted effector family from Mycetohabitans consists of homologues of transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors, which are used by plant pathogenic Xanthomonas and Ralstonia spp. to activate host genes that promote disease. These 'Burkholderia TAL-like (Btl)' proteins bind corresponding specific DNA sequences in a predictable manner, but their genomic target(s) and impact on transcription in the fungus are unknown. Recent phenotyping of Btl mutants of two Mycetohabitans strains revealed that the single Btl in one Mycetohabitans endofungorum strain enhances fungal membrane stress tolerance, while others in a Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica strain promote bacterial colonization of the fungus. The phenotypic diversity underscores the need to assess the sequence diversity and, given that sequence diversity translates to DNA targeting specificity, the functional diversity of Btl proteins. Using a dual approach to maximize capture of Btl protein sequences for our analysis, we sequenced and assembled nine Mycetohabitans spp. genomes using long-read PacBio technology and also mined available short-read Illumina fungal-bacterial metagenomes. We show that btl genes are present across diverse Mycetohabitans strains from Mucoromycota fungal hosts yet vary in sequences and predicted DNA binding specificity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct clades of Btl proteins and suggested that Mycetohabitans might contain more species than previously recognized. Within our data set, Btl proteins were more conserved across M. rhizoxinica strains than across M. endofungorum, but there was also evidence of greater overall strain diversity within the latter clade. Overall, the results suggest that Btl proteins contribute to bacterial-fungal symbioses in myriad ways

Simplified Models for LHC New Physics Searches

This document proposes a collection of simplified models relevant to the design of new-physics searches at the LHC and the characterization of their results. Both ATLAS and CMS have already presented some results in terms of simplified models, and we encourage them to continue and expand this effort, which supplements both signature-based results and benchmark model interpretations. A simplified model is defined by an effective Lagrangian describing the interactions of a small number of new particles. Simplified models can equally well be described by a small number of masses and cross-sections. These parameters are directly related to collider physics observables, making simplified models a particularly effective framework for evaluating searches and a useful starting point for characterizing positive signals of new physics. This document serves as an official summary of the results from the "Topologies for Early LHC Searches" workshop, held at SLAC in September of 2010, the purpose of which was to develop a set of representative models that can be used to cover all relevant phase space in experimental searches. Particular emphasis is placed on searches relevant for the first ~50-500 pb-1 of data and those motivated by supersymmetric models. This note largely summarizes material posted at http://lhcnewphysics.org/, which includes simplified model definitions, Monte Carlo material, and supporting contacts within the theory community. We also comment on future developments that may be useful as more data is gathered and analyzed by the experiments.Comment: 40 pages, 2 figures. This document is the official summary of results from "Topologies for Early LHC Searches" workshop (SLAC, September 2010). Supplementary material can be found at http://lhcnewphysics.or

VIDIIA Hunter: a low-cost, smartphone connected, artificial intelligence-assisted COVID-19 rapid diagnostic platform approved for medical use in the UK

Introduction: Accurate and rapid diagnostics paired with effective tracking and tracing systems are key to halting the spread of infectious diseases, limiting the emergence of new variants and to monitor vaccine efficacy. The current gold standard test (RT-qPCR) for COVID-19 is highly accurate and sensitive, but is time-consuming, and requires expensive specialised, lab-based equipment.Methods: Herein, we report on the development of a SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) rapid and inexpensive diagnostic platform that relies on a reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay and a portable smart diagnostic device. Automated image acquisition and an Artificial Intelligence (AI) deep learning model embedded in the Virus Hunter 6 (VH6) device allow to remove any subjectivity in the interpretation of results. The VH6 device is also linked to a smartphone companion application that registers patients for swab collection and manages the entire process, thus ensuring tests are traced and data securely stored.Results: Our designed AI-implemented diagnostic platform recognises the nucleocapsid protein gene of SARS-CoV-2 with high analytical sensitivity and specificity. A total of 752 NHS patient samples, 367 confirmed positives for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and 385 negatives, were used for the development and validation of the test and the AI-assisted platform. The smart diagnostic platform was then used to test 150 positive clinical samples covering a dynamic range of clinically meaningful viral loads and 250 negative samples. When compared to RT-qPCR, our AI-assisted diagnostics platform was shown to be reliable, highly specific (100%) and sensitive (98–100% depending on viral load) with a limit of detection of 1.4 copies of RNA per µL in 30 min. Using this data, our CE-IVD and MHRA approved test and associated diagnostic platform has been approved for medical use in the United Kingdom under the UK Health Security Agency’s Medical Devices (Coronavirus Test Device Approvals, CTDA) Regulations 2022. Laboratory and in-silico data presented here also indicates that the VIDIIA diagnostic platform is able to detect the main variants of concern in the United Kingdom (September 2023).Discussion: This system could provide an efficient, time and cost-effective platform to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 and other infectious diseases in resource-limited settings

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Lead Phytoremediation Using Helianthus annuus, Helianthus giganteus and Tithonia rotundifolia**

Sunflowers are generally known as heavy metal hyperaccumulator plants but not all species have been tested to confirm this characteristic. In this study, the phytoremediation potential of four species of sunflower (Mexican Sundancers and Tithonia Torch (Tithonia rotundifolia), American Giant Hybrid (Helianthus annuus), and American Mammoths (Helianthus giganteus)) were assessed in a temperature-controlled greenhouse. Fifty-eight plants were grown for 12 weeks and watered periodically with either Miracle-Gro solution, mycorrhizae solution or solutions known concentrations of lead nitrate. At the end of the experiment, all the sunflower species had a significant amount of lead in the shoots and roots. Preliminary results show that T. rotundifolia had the highest concentration of lead in the roots (max.=182.27 ppm) after an 800 ppm lead nitrate solution and three rounds of mycorrhizae solution were used to water the plants for a week. H. annuus plants that were contaminated with an 800 ppm of lead nitrate solution but only one round of mycorrhizae solution and had the greatest lead concentrations in stem (max.= 10.45 ppm) and leaves (max.=114.07). T. rotundifolia that was treated with a 200 ppm lead nitrate solution and one treatment of mycorrhizae solution had no significant uptake in the shoots. Results from this study show that these four species of sunflower have hyperaccumulator properties and can potentially be used for phytoremediation

Prevalence and diversity of TAL effector-like proteins in fungal endosymbiotic Mycetohabitans spp

Endofungal Mycetohabitans (formerly Burkholderia ) spp. rely on a type III secretion system to deliver mostly unidentified effector proteins when colonizing their host fungus, Rhizopus microsporus. The one known secreted effector family from Mycetohabitans consists of homologs of transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors, which are used by plant pathogenic Xanthomonas and Ralstonia spp. to activate host genes that promote disease. These ‘ Burkholderia TAL-like (Btl)’ proteins bind corresponding specific DNA sequences in a predictable manner, but their impact on transcription and their genomic target(s) in the fungus are not yet known. Recent characterization of two Btl proteins (Btl19-13 and MTAL1/Btl21-1), each from a different Mycetohabitans species, revealed different phenotypes in Rhizopus , underscoring the need to assess the sequence and functional diversity of Btl proteins. We sequenced and assembled nine Mycetohabitans spp. genomes using long-read PacBio technology. All assemblies contained fragments of btl genes, and most had intact copies. We then mined fungal-bacterial metagenomes assembled as part of the ZygoLife project. This analysis showed that btl genes are present across diverse Mycetohabitans strains from Mucoromycota fungal hosts yet vary in sequences and predicted DNA binding specificity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct clades of Btl proteins and suggested that Mycetohabitans might contain more species than previously recognized. Within our data set, Btl proteins were more conserved across Mycetohabitans rhizoxinica strains than across Mycetohabitans endofungorum , but there was also evidence of greater overall strain diversity within the latter clade. Overall, the results suggest that Btl proteins contribute to bacterial-fungal symbioses in myriad ways. Importance Many Mucoromycota fungi harbor endosymbiotic bacteria, including Rhizopus spp. that are food fermenters and pathogens of plants and immunocompromised people. Rhizopus microsporus has endofungal Mycetohabitans (formerly Burkholderia ) spp. that deploy proteins related to DNA-binding ‘transcription activator-like’ effectors of plant pathogens, which enter plant nuclei and activate disease susceptibility genes. One ‘Burkholderia TAL-like (Btl)’ protein, in M. endofungorum , enhances fungal membrane stress tolerance. Another, from M. rhizoxinica , promotes bacterial colonization of the fungus. By sequencing isolated bacteria and mining fungal holobiont sequences, we found Btl proteins in diverse Mycetohabitans strains, varying in DNA binding specificity, thus in potential host targets. Btl proteins were more conserved within M. rhizoxinica suggesting distinctions among the two named species. The results suggest that Btl proteins contribute to symbiosis in diverse ways, providing insight into effector evolution and arguing for functional characterization of additional Btl proteins to understand establishment and maintenance of these important fungal-bacterial interactions

The application of GIS and spatiotemporal analyses to investigations of unusual marine mammal strandings and mortality events

In 2006–2007, an unusually high number of harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) stranded along the Washington and Oregon coastlines. Spatiotemporal analyses were used to examine their ability to detect clusters of porpoise strandings during an unusual mortality event (UME) in the Pacific Northwest using stranding location data. Strandings were evaluated as two separate populations, outer coast and inland waters. The presence of global clustering was evaluated using the Knox spatiotemporal test, and the presence of local clusters was investigated using a spatiotemporal scan statistic (space–time permutation). There was evidence of global clustering, but no local clustering, supporting the hypothesis that strandings were due to more varied etiologies instead of localized causes. Further analyses at subregional levels, and concurrently assessing environmental factors, might reveal additional geographic distribution patterns. This article describes the spatial analytical tools applied in this study and how they can help elucidate the spatiotemporal epidemiology of other UMEs and assist in determining their causes. More than one spatial analytical technique should be used if the study objective is to detect and describe clustering in time and space and to generate hypotheses regarding causation of marine mammal disease and stranding events.This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. and can be found at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/%28ISSN%291748-7692Keywords: Phocoena phocoena, GIS, harbor porpoise, unusual mortality event, spatiotemporal analyses, epidemiolog