An Unbalanced Act: A Criticism of How the Court of Arbitration for Sport Issues Unjustly Harsh Sanctions by Attempting to Regulate Doping in Sport

To participate in international competitions, countries must submit to the doping rules set forth in the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), a document brought into being by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Under the Agency\u27s Code, athletes are required to commit to mandatory binding arbitration in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which gives them few chances for review of unjustly harsh sanctions. The CAS needs to re-examine its method of appealing doping cases because WADA\u27s current strict liability scheme, coupled with the CAS\u27s transnational jurisdiction, continually violates the rights of international athletes

An Unbalanced Act: A Criticism of How the Court of Arbitration for Sport Issues Unjustly Harsh Sanctions by Attempting to Regulate Doping in Sport

To participate in international competitions, countries must submit to the doping rules set forth in the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), a document brought into being by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Under the Agency\u27s Code, athletes are required to commit to mandatory binding arbitration in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which gives them few chances for review of unjustly harsh sanctions. The CAS needs to re-examine its method of appealing doping cases because WADA\u27s current strict liability scheme, coupled with the CAS\u27s transnational jurisdiction, continually violates the rights of international athletes

The Impact of Racism and Ethnic Discrimination on Students\u27 Educational Experiences

This study explored how occupational therapy students’ perceptions of racism and ethnic discrimination impacted their educational experiences. Participants included 226 students ages 18-60 years old enrolled in occupational therapy entry-level, post-professional, or assistant programs throughout the United States. Students completed an anonymous web-based survey that included a demographic questionnaire, the Brief Perceived Ethnic Discrimination Questionnaire-Community Version (PEDQ-CV), and open-ended survey questions. Results found that students’ educational performance were negatively impacted by their experiences with racism and ethnic discrimination. While students reported to have experienced racism or ethnic discrimination within the classroom and fieldwork settings, classroom conversations and content related to topics on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and anti-racism were limited. Based on the study’s findings, schools are encouraged to increase these conversations and implement supportive resources for students who have experienced racism and ethnic discrimination. Implications for improved occupational therapy educational experiences for students included recommendations to: a) acquire additional education in DEI-related subjects; b) continue to incorporate more conversations related to topics of DEI, racism, and ethnic discrimination in the classroom and fieldwork settings; c) provide simulated or real-life hands-on opportunities and experiences to work with people of color within the community; d) teach students how to appropriately behave and respond to racism and ethnic discriminatory situations; e) create program curriculums that focus on DEI and anti-racism content; f) host support groups with diverse people to encourage mentorship between students, practitioners, and community members; and g) diversify course content to include images, perspectives, and stories of people of color

Aquatic treadmill running reduces muscle soreness following intense sprint exercise in trained men

Delayed onset muscle soreness is associated with muscle damage, disturbances in proprioception, and decreases in muscular power. The purpose was to determine if short duration aquatic treadmill (ATM) running reduces muscle soreness following intense sprint exercise in trained men. Twenty trained men (180.3±4.4cm, 86.3±5.8kg, 20±1yr) were recruited and randomly divided into two groups: ATM recovery (ATMRec) and passive recovery (PRec). During testing, subjects performed a warm-up followed by sixteen 110yrd cutback runs with a sprint of 60yrds, sharp change of direction, and a return sprint of 50yrds. Work to rest ratio was set at 1:3. Additionally, following exercise, the ATMRec group performed ATM running using a HydroWorx® treadmill at 5mph, 50% maximal jet resistance, and water(33°C) level at chest depth for 10min. Both groups then evaluated their level of soreness/pain using a numerical rating scale (NRS: 0-10, 0=no pain, 10=worst pain) immediately following all exercise (IPE), 24h, and 48h post exercise in the following regions: ARMS, LEGS, BACK, CHEST, SHOULDERS, HIPS, ABDOMEN, NECK, OVERALL. Data were analyzed for group x time interactions using a 2x3 Generalized Linear Mixed Model for non-parametric data (α≤0.05). For significant interactions, the same procedure was used to analyze between group differences at the same measurement timepoint(α≤0.05)

Canine tumor cross-species genomics uncovers targets linked to osteosarcoma progression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Pulmonary metastasis continues to be the most common cause of death in osteosarcoma. Indeed, the 5-year survival for newly diagnosed osteosarcoma patients has not significantly changed in over 20 years. Further understanding of the mechanisms of metastasis and resistance for this aggressive pediatric cancer is necessary. Pet dogs naturally develop osteosarcoma providing a novel opportunity to model metastasis development and progression. Given the accelerated biology of canine osteosarcoma, we hypothesized that a direct comparison of canine and pediatric osteosarcoma expression profiles may help identify novel metastasis-associated tumor targets that have been missed through the study of the human cancer alone.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Using parallel oligonucleotide array platforms, shared orthologues between species were identified and normalized. The osteosarcoma expression signatures could not distinguish the canine and human diseases by hierarchical clustering. Cross-species target mining identified two genes, interleukin-8 (<it>IL-8</it>) and solute carrier family 1 (glial high affinity glutamate transporter), member 3 (<it>SLC1A3</it>), which were uniformly expressed in dog but not in all pediatric osteosarcoma patient samples. Expression of these genes in an independent population of pediatric osteosarcoma patients was associated with poor outcome (p = 0.020 and p = 0.026, respectively). Validation of <it>IL-8 </it>and <it>SLC1A3 </it>protein expression in pediatric osteosarcoma tissues further supported the potential value of these novel targets. Ongoing evaluation will validate the biological significance of these targets and their associated pathways.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, these data support the strong similarities between human and canine osteosarcoma and underline the opportunities provided by a comparative oncology approach as a means to improve our understanding of cancer biology and therapies.</p

Dynamic changes in perfectionism dimensions and psychological distress among adolescents assessed before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

This prospective longitudinal study evaluated changes in psychological distress among adolescents, pre-pandemic to intra-pandemic, the extent to which within-person and between person differences in trait multidimensional perfectionism were associated with such changes, and the role of stress in explaining associations between perfectionism and psychological distress. Adolescents (N = 187; 80% female; 78% White, 7% Asian Canadian, 2% Indigenous Peoples in Canada, 2% Black or African Canadian, 2% Latin Canadian, or 9% Other; Mage = 17.96 years) completed online surveys assessing perfectionism (i.e., self-oriented [SOP] and socially prescribed perfectionism [SPP]), depression, anxiety, and stress pre-pandemic (i.e., March 12th, 2020 or earlier) and during Ontario, Canada’s first (i.e., March 13th, 2020 to July 24th, 2020) and second (December 26th, 2020 to February 7th, 2021) government-mandated lockdowns. Between-person differences and within-person changes in multidimensional trait perfectionism were associated with increases in psychological distress and perceived stress. Perceived stress served as an intermediary pathway linking multidimensional trait perfectionism to psychological distress during the pandemic

Controlled in vitro delivery of voriconazole and diclofenac to the cornea using contact lenses for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by a protozoal infection of the cornea, with 80% of cases involving the improper use of contact lenses. The infection causes intense pain and is potentially blinding. However, early diagnosis improves treatment efficacy and the chances of healing. Despite the apparent accessibility of the cornea, patients do not always respond well to current eye drop treatments largely due to rapid dose loss due to blinking and nasolacrimal drainage. Here, the topical drug delivery of voriconazole alone and in combination with diclofenac via drug-loaded contact lenses, were investigated in vitro. The contact lenses were applied onto excised porcine eyeballs and maintained at 32°C under constant irrigation, with simulated tear fluid applied to mimic in vivo conditions. The drug delivered to the corneas was quantified by HPLC analysis. The system was further tested in terms of cytotoxicity and a scratch wound repopulation model, using corneal epithelial cells. Sustained drug delivery to the cornea was achieved and for voriconazole, the MIC against Acanthamoeba castellanii was attained alone and in combination with diclofenac. MTT and scratch wound data showed reasonable cell proliferation and wound repopulation at the drug doses used, supporting further development of the system to treat Acanthamoeba keratitis

Phenotypic and functional analyses show stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells better mimic fetal rather than adult hepatocytes

Background & Aims: Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), differentiated from pluripotent stem cells by the use of soluble factors, can model human liver function and toxicity. However, at present HLC maturity and whether any deficit represents a true fetal state or aberrant differentiation is unclear and compounded by comparison to potentially deteriorated adult hepatocytes. Therefore, we generated HLCs from multiple lineages, using two different protocols, for direct comparison with fresh fetal and adult hepatocytes. Methods: Protocols were developed for robust differentiation. Multiple transcript, protein and functional analyses compared HLCs to fresh human fetal and adult hepatocytes. Results: HLCs were comparable to those of other laboratories by multiple parameters. Transcriptional changes during differentiation mimicked human embryogenesis and showed more similarity to pericentral than periportal hepatocytes. Unbiased proteomics demonstrated greater proximity to liver than 30 other human organs or tissues. However, by comparison to fresh material, HLC maturity was proven by transcript, protein and function to be fetal-like and short of the adult phenotype. The expression of 81% phase 1 enzymes in HLCs was significantly upregulated and half were statistically not different from fetal hepatocytes. HLCs secreted albumin and metabolized testosterone (CYP3A) and dextrorphan (CYP2D6) like fetal hepatocytes. In seven bespoke tests, devised by principal components analysis to distinguish fetal from adult hepatocytes, HLCs from two different source laboratories consistently demonstrated fetal characteristics. Conclusions: HLCs from different sources are broadly comparable with unbiased proteomic evidence for faithful differentiation down the liver lineage. This current phenotype mimics human fetal rather than adult hepatocytes

Active citizenship and aquired neurological communication difficulty

People with communication impairments may face barriers to civic participation, with resulting marginalisation of individuals who wish to be actively involved. The investigation aimed to explore the experience of civically engaged adults with acquired neurological communication difficulties. Six people with acquired neurological communication difficulties were interviewed. Discussion included the definition of active citizenship, their civic involvement, motivations, related barriers and facilitators. Qualitative analysis was undertaken, with data categorised, coded and examined for recurring themes. All participants were active in disability-related organisations and four undertook wider civic roles. Motivations included activity being outwith the home and wanting to effect change for themselves and the populations they represented. Disability group meetings were more positive experiences than broader community activities, which were associated with fatigue and frustration, commonly resulting from communication difficulties and unmet support needs. All participants identified a need for professional and public educational about disability and communication and made recommendations on content, methods and priority groups. For these participants civic engagement had positive and negative dimensions. Speech and language therapists should promote reduction of the barriers that impede the active citizenship rights of people with communication support needs. Civic participation may be a relevant measure of outcome in communication impaired populations