Disease modifying therapy for multiple system atrophy – Parkinsonian Type

BACKGROUND: Multiple System Atrophy –Parkinsonian Type (MSA-P) is a rare, rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease without any current treatment. Recent research has increased the understanding of brain iron accumulation and its association with neurodegenerative synucleinopathies, like MSA-P. Because of this improved understanding of the disease process, there is potential for new therapies that could benefit patients with MSA-P. Unfortunately, many attempts at finding a new and effective treatments for MSA-P have been unsuccessful. Two drugs that have shown potential in neurodegenerative synucleinopathies associated with brain iron accumulation are iron chelators (Deferiprone) and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (Nilotinib.) METHODS: The proposed study is a multicenter, double blind, randomized control study of Nilotinib and Deferiprone for the treatment of MSA-P. There will be two treatment arms; Nilotinib and a placebo group vs. Nilotinib and Deferiprone. There will be a 24 week treatment phase, followed by a 24 week wash-out phase. All patients will have a baseline evaluation including: a full neurological exam with rating scales (UMSARS, UPDRS, SCOPA, and MOCA) to assess motor and non-motor symptoms of MSA-P. Lab and imaging data will include CBC, CMP, serum iron panel, CSF iron panel and brain SWI-MR scans. Neurological exams and rating scales will be assessed every four weeks while imaging and laboratory data will be assessed at baseline (week 0) at the end of the intervention phase (week 24) and at the end of the follow-up phase (week 48). CONCLUSIONS: Deferiprone and Nilotinib when used together will have a synergistic impact on the symptoms of MSA-P and will be more effective when used together versus when they are used individually. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients with MSA-P have shortened life expectancy as well as severely diminished quality of life due to rapidly progressive neurodegeneration. This trial aims to implementing evidence based treatment for MSA-P that could potentially improve life expectancy as well as quality of life in this patient population

God in My Sporting: A Justification for Christian Experience in Sport

Examining the intersection between sport and religious faith can be challenging for kinesiology professionals. Many in academics disregard religious statements and experience as meaningless, unscientific, and even dangerous. Others recognize religious experiences as valid forms of knowledge and opportunities to encounter the sacred. Each of these groups has different explanations of religious experience and the areas of life in which such experience can occur. It is the purpose of this paper to examine the legitimacy of and potential for religious experience in general, as well as Christian religious experience in sport and physical activity. After reviewing previous sport and other literature examining connections between sport and religion, this paper outlines historical and recent challenges to religious knowledge and experience as epistemologically meaningful. A contemporary argument for religious experience as warranted and meaningful is provided, and the final section introduces a Christian understanding of religious experience within physical activity and sport. Infusing physical activity with relevance and meaning derived from religious experience will help in achieving lofty outcomes such as lifelong fitness participation and adherence to exercise programs. Incorporating such a view of sport and physical activity can help make our subject matter relevant to people in a way that transcends content knowledge. One challenge to Christian kinesiology professionals is in presenting these religious opportunities in ways that are inclusive and supportive of other religious faiths

Introduction: contains Cover, Table of Contents, Letter from the Editor, and Masthead

I hope you enjoy the second issue of Volume XI of the Richmond Journal of Law & Technology. The Editorial Board and Staff worked diligently with four outstanding authors to prepare this issue. We are proud to present timely articles by two professors, a practitioner, and the winner of the Journal’s staff casenote competition

Identifying Complex Adaptive Systems Using Quantitative Approaches At A Midsized Biotechnology Firm

Rapid technological progress is becoming more challenging for organizations to implement and manage. The traditional, hierarchical leadership models are often inadequate to cope with continuous change, and the inability to keep up with the latest advances can quickly imperil a company. In particular, the field of biotechnology is currently experiencing revolutionary advances. Where hierarchical leadership models lapse, complexity theory and complexity leadership theory may provide an alternative leadership model for successful organizational adaptation. However, much of the research surrounding complexity theory remains academic. Historical data from a biotechnology company was analyzed during a computer hardware and software upgrade to detect the presence of a complex adaptive system, the fundamental component of complexity. Results showed that after the upgrade, animal care technicians did not significantly increase their collective efficiency; instead, they appeared to significantly increase their collective accuracy. This might indicate that the animal care technicians acted as a complex adaptive system in response to an environmental change. Insights into aggregate employee behavior through the lens of complexity theory might be useful to leadership seeking to successfully implement organizational change. Additionally, the adoption of complexity leadership doctrines by management might help create enhanced conditions to cultivate increased innovation and growth

The Relationship between Trait Narcissism and Perceptions of Control

Current research supports two variants of narcissism: grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Although each variant shares a common core comprised of an antagonistic personality and an inflated sense of entitlement, the Perceived Control Theory of Narcissism (PCTN) identifies perception of control as the distinguishing factor between the two narcissistic subtypes. This study utilized self-report measures to examine the relationship between trait narcissism, locus of control, exploitativeness, and personal sense of power to test the predictability of the PCTN. Additionally, we explored whether social context affects trait narcissists’ expressions of exploitativeness and power. As expected, we found vulnerable narcissism correlated with an external locus of control, both grandiose and vulnerable narcissism correlated with exploitativeness, and grandiose narcissism correlated with a higher personal sense of power while vulnerable narcissism correlated with a lower personal sense of power. Our exploration involving the friends vs strangers condition revealed increasing levels of grandiose narcissism correlated with an increasing perception of power over strangers. Social context did not affect vulnerable narcissists’ personal sense of power nor did it affect trait narcissists’ exploitativeness. This research addressed a central question arising from current trait narcissism research seeking to identify diverging points between grandiose and vulnerable narcissism. Our results support the PCTN prediction that differences in perceived control result in divergent expressions of narcissistic traits. This research adds to a growing body of literature identifying traits specific to grandiose and vulnerable narcissism