EFFECTS OF ANKLE STABILlZATION ON PUSH-OFF MECHANICS FROM A THREE-POINT STANCE IN FOOTBALL

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effects of taping and bracing on push-off mechanics from a three-point football stance. Nineteen males were tested under three ankle stabilization conditions: braced, taped, and control. Participants performed five trials in each condition. Two 250Hz video cameras and a forceplate were used to collect data. A MANOVA with repeated measures revealed a significant main effect for condition. Post hoc analysis indicated that bracing and taping resulted in reduced minimum and maximum ankle angles and maximum angular velocity compared to the control. The horizontal velocity of the center of mass at takeofffor the tape condition was significantly lower than the control. Bracing and taping can have a negative effect on push-off mechanics

ND:GLASS LASER DESIGN FOR LASER ICF FISSION ENERGY (LIFE)

ABSTRAC

DNA Topoisoerases

Gel electrophoresis was performed on six known mutagens: MMS, EMS, Mtx, Caf, AHA, and HyC, to test the affect each would have on topo I and topo II enzymes controlling the topological states of DNA. Each compound/DNA/enzyme mixture was prepared three different ways in order to localize the compound' affect i.e. whether the compound affected the DNA or the enzyme. Each of the gels was divided into two parts to test the affect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), used to denature proteins, upon the cleavable complex. SDS is commonly used in the mixtures which halt the enzymatic reactions. In each of the gels the top half contained no SDS while the bottom part was treated with SDS. In both cases identical conditions were used. The results was the SDS had no apparent affect on the cleavable complex. Each of the six mutagens caused enzymatic inactivity in the third mixture; which consisted of adding the compound and enzyme first and then adding DNA. Thus, the compound directly affected the enzyme causing it to be unable to bind to the DNA. Two of the six compounds, caffeine and hycanthone, caused inactivity in the other two mixtures. This however can be explained by the fact that each intercalates the DNA

Eye lens-derived Δ14C signatures validate extreme longevity in the deepwater scorpaenid blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus)

Abstract Many members of the scorpaenid subfamily: Sebastinae (rockfishes and their relatives) exhibit slow growth and extreme longevity (> 100 y), thus are estimated to be vulnerable to overfishing. Blackbelly rosefish (Helicolenus dactylopterus) is a deepwater sebastine whose longevity estimates range widely, possibly owing to different regional levels of fisheries exploitation across its Atlantic Ocean range. However, age estimation has not been validated for this species and ageing for sebastines in general is uncertain. We performed age validation of northern Gulf of Mexico blackbelly rosefish via an application of the bomb radiocarbon chronometer which utilized eye lens cores instead of more traditional otolith cores as the source of birth year Δ14C signatures. The correspondence of eye lens core Δ14C with a regional reference series was tested with a novel Bayesian spline analysis, which revealed otolith opaque zone counts provide accurate age estimates. Maximum observed longevity was 90 y, with 17.5% of individuals aged to be > 50 y. Bayesian growth analysis, with estimated length-at-birth included as a prior, revealed blackbelly rosefish exhibit extremely slow growth (k = 0.08 y−1). Study results have important implications for the management of blackbelly rosefish stocks, as extreme longevity and slow growth imply low resilience to fishing pressure

Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Responses to Transgene Product, Not Adeno-Associated Viral Capsid Protein, Limit Transgene Expression in Mice

The use of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for gene replacement therapy is currently being explored in several clinical indications. However, reports have suggested that input capsid proteins from AAV-2 vector particles may result in the stimulation of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses that can result in a loss of transduced cells. To explore the impact of anti-AAV CTLs on AAV-mediated transgene expression, both immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice and B cell-deficient μMT mice were immunized against the AAV2 capsid protein (Cap) and were injected intravenously with an AAV-2 vector encoding α-galactosidase (α-Gal). C57BL/6 mice, which developed both CTL and neutralizing antibody responses against Cap, failed to show any detectable α-Gal expression. In contrast, serum α-Gal levels comparable to those of naive mice were observed in μMT mice despite the presence of robust CTL activity against Cap, indicating that preexisting Cap-specific CTLs did not have any effect on the magnitude and duration of transgene expression. The same strategy was used to assess the impact of CTLs against the α-Gal transgene product on AAV-mediated gene delivery and persistence of transgene expression. Preimmunization of μMT mice with an Ad/α-Gal vector induced a robust CTL response to α-Gal. When these mice were injected with AAV2/α-Gal vector, initial levels of α-Gal expression were reduced by more than 1 log and became undetectable by 2 weeks postinjection. Overall, our results indicate that CTLs against the transgene product as opposed to AAV capsid protein are more likely to interfere with AAV transgene expression

Grand Challenges in the Management and Conservation of North American Inland Fishes and Fisheries

Even with long-standing management and extensive science support, North American inland fish and fisheries still face many conservation and management challenges. We used a grand challenges approach to identify critical roadblocks that if removed would help solve important problems in the management and long-term conservation of North American inland fish and fisheries. We identified seven grand challenges within three themes (valuation, governance, and externalities) and 34 research needs and management actions. The major themes identified are to (1) raise awareness of diverse values associated with inland fish and fisheries, (2) govern inland fish and fisheries to satisfy multiple use and conservation objectives, and (3) ensure productive inland fisheries given nonfishing sector externalities. Addressing these grand challenges will help the broader community understand the diverse values of inland fish and fisheries, promot e open forums for engagement of diverse stakeholders in fisheries management, and better integrate the inland fish sector into the greater water and land use policy process

A cell-based drug delivery platform for treating central nervous system inflammation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for the development of cell-based drug delivery systems for autoimmune inflammatory diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS). Here, we investigated the effect of Ro-31-8425, an ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor, on the therapeutic properties of MSCs. Upon a simple pretreatment procedure, MSCs spontaneously took up and then gradually released significant amounts of Ro-31-8425. Ro-31-8425 (free or released by MSCs) suppressed the proliferation of CD4+ T cells in vitro following polyclonal and antigen-specific stimulation. Systemic administration of Ro-31-8425-loaded MSCs ameliorated the clinical course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS, displaying a stronger suppressive effect on EAE than control MSCs or free Ro-31-8425. Ro-31-8425-MSC administration resulted in sustained levels of Ro-31-8425 in the serum of EAE mice, modulating immune cell trafficking and the autoimmune response during EAE. Collectively, these results identify MSC-based drug delivery as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.National Institutes of Health (Grant HL095722