Expression of Kallikrein-Related Peptidases (KLKs) in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of salivary glands is a malignancy known for its slow growth pattern, but poor long-term survival despite aggressive treatment. This highlights the need for an improved approach to its management. It has been suggested that kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs), a group of 15 serine proteases, may serve as biomarkers for salivary gland tumors. KLKs are involved in numerous biological processes and have been linked to several cancers. This study evaluated KLK gene expression in ACC and normal salivary gland tissue (NSGT). Total RNA was isolated from 40 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples, which included 25 ACCs and 15 NSGTs. RNA samples were subjected to reverse transcription and RT-qPCR utilizing human-specific KLK1-15 primers. KLK1-KLK15 expression was observed in both ACC and NSGT. Comparative ΔCq analysis found KLK1, KLK8, KLK11, and KLK14 to be downregulated in ACC. This may represent a multiparametric panel for its diagnosis; however, additional studies are needed

The association of concussion history and mental health in former collegiate athletes

This dissertation aimed to: (1) estimate the association between recurrent concussion and mental health; and (2) compare athlete-recalled and clinically-documented concussion histories during college. Questionnaires were completed by 797 former collegiate athletes who played collegiate sport between 1987-2012. Athlete-recalled concussions from 130 former collegiate athletes were individually linked to previously collected clinical data that tracked medically-diagnosed concussions at the host institution between 1996 and 2012. In Aim 1, binomial regression estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (PR), with depression, impulsivity, and aggression as outcomes. Controlling for alcohol dependence and family history of depression, the prevalence of currently meeting diagnostic criteria for major depression among former collegiate athletes reporting three of more concussions was 2.6 times that of those reporting no concussions [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1, 6.1]. No association was found for impulsivity. Controlling for alcohol dependence, sex, and relationship status, former collegiate athletes reporting three or more concussions had a higher prevalence of high levels of aggression, compared to those reporting no concussions (PR=1.2; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.5). In Aim 2, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) assessed agreement between athlete-recalled and clinically-documented concussion histories. Descriptive analyses assessed reasons for disagreement. Agreement between athlete-recalled and clinically-documented concussion histories was low (ICC: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.37), but higher for females (ICC=0.65; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.79) and those playing more recently (2005-2012: ICC=0.39; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.67). Of those sustaining college sports-related concussions (40.8%), 39.6% believed they had sustained concussions that went undiagnosed, and 20.8% admitted non-disclosure of suspected concussions. Common reasons for non-disclosure included: did not think injury was serious enough (90.9%); did not know it was a concussion (72.7%); and did not want to leave the game/practice (72.7%). In summary, former collegiate athletes reporting concussions may be at greater risk for major depression and higher levels of aggression. However, current sources of concussion history data apparently fail to capture large proportions of concussions. Methodological research is needed to improve the quality of concussion history assessment tools. The health and well-being of collegiate athletes should continue to be monitored even after transitioning out of collegiate sports.Doctor of Philosoph

Health and Well-Being Measures of Collegiate Athlete and Non-Athlete Graduates

American collegiate sport participation has been linked with psychosocial and career-related benefits as well as with mental and physical health risks, with extant research on this topic revealing mixed results. The study purpose was, informed by the Health through Sport Conceptual Model, to describe and compare associations among health related quality of life and psychosocial measures of former U.S. collegiate athletes and non-athletes from four university graduation cohorts. Results suggest on aggregate former collegiate athletes report more positive measures than their non-athlete peers. Study findings were, in some instances, mitigated/reversed when participants endorsed concussion, career ending injury or revenue sport participation histories or were female. Though limited by a cross-sectional design and a potential health worker effect, results provide some support for protective associations of collegiate athletics participation. This study also provides a theoretical bridge from intercollegiate athletics participation to broader sport promotion literatures

Kallikrein-Related Peptidase mRNA Expression in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Salivary Glands: A Polymerase Chain Reaction Study

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLKs) are a group of 15 serine proteases implicated in a variety of biological processes. Aberrant expression of KLKs has been associated with the development of certain cancers. However, the role of KLKs in salivary tumors has not been extensively studied. This study evaluated the expression of KLKs in both adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and normal salivary gland tissue. We isolated total RNA from 39 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples, which included 24 ACCs and 15 normal salivary gland tissues. Complementary DNA, synthesized by reverse transcription, was combined with gene specific kallikrein primers (KLK1–KLK15) to allow for quantitative real-time PCR. Data was normalized to a β-actin housekeeping gene. Relative quantification analysis was performed using the ΔCq method. KLK1–KLK15 expression was observed in both tissue types. However, KLK1, KLK8, KLK11, and KLK14 were found to be downregulated in ACC. We propose that this may represent a multi-parametric panel providing diagnostic and prognostic information

A Comparison of Potential Student Blood Donors to Actual Donors

With a growing need for blood and blood products, managers of blood collection agencies are interested in increasing donation rates. A better understanding of how donors are different from the general public might inform decisions on how to promote to make non-donors more like donors. A sample of 74 student blood donors was surveyed at two university blood donor clinics about their attitudes and beliefs about blood donation. A convenience sample of 134 respondents in a university student population was also surveyed for comparison. The latter was later split by level of commitment to blood donation. Differences among these three groups were tested. Applications of these finding are suggested

Epidemiology of Skin Infections in Men's Wrestling: Analysis of 2009–2010 Through 2013–2014 National Collegiate Athletic Association Surveillance Data

CONTEXT: Our knowledge of the current epidemiology of skin infections among wrestlers is limited. OBJECTIVE: To analyze and report the epidemiology of skin infections among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men's wrestling student-athletes during the 2009-2010 through 2013-2014 academic years. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. SETTING: Aggregate skin infection and exposure data collected by the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Collegiate men's wrestling student-athletes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): All viral, bacterial, or fungal skin infections reported by athletic trainers at 17 NCAA programs were analyzed, providing 35 team-seasons of data. Skin infection rates per 10 000 athlete-exposures (AEs), rate ratios, skin infection proportions, and skin infection proportion ratios were calculated. RESULTS: The athletic trainers reported 112 skin infections contracted by 87 student-athletes across 78 720 AEs. The overall skin infection rate was 14.23/10 000 AEs (95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.59, 16.86). Of the skin infections identified, 22.3% (n = 25) were recurrent skin infections. Most skin infections (65.2%) were attributable to 5 team-seasons (range, 11-19 infections). Most skin infections occurred during the regular season (n = 76, 67.9%), were identified during practice (n = 100, 89.3%), and resulted in ≥24 hours' time loss (n = 83, 74.1%). The rate for viral skin infections was 1.72 times the rate for bacterial skin infections (95% CI = 1.09, 2.72) and 2.08 times the rate for fungal skin infections (95% CI = 1.28, 3.39). Fungal skin infections more often resulted in time loss <24 hours compared with all other skin infections (75.0% versus 12.5%; infection proportion ratio = 6.00; 95% CI = 3.30, 10.92). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the contagiousness of skin infections and suggest that skin infection rates may be attributable to high incidences among particular teams

A retrospective international study on factors associated with injury, discomfort and pain perception among cyclists

Although cycling has been associated with overuse/fatigue and acute injuries, there is lack of information regarding associated risk factors and prevention factors. The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with injury, and perceptions of discomfort and pain in cyclists. A total of 739 cyclists completed an online questionnaire between February and October 2016. The questionnaire acquired information on participant demographics, characteristics related to cycling profile and fitness training, bike components and cycling posture, self-reported perceptions of comfort and pain, and injuries sustained in the last 12 months. Logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) that examined factors associated with reporting overuse/fatigue injury, acute injury, body discomfort, saddle discomfort, and pain while cycling. Odds of reporting an overuse/fatigue injury increased when the cyclists complemented training with running (OR = 1.74; 95%CI = 1.03-2.91) or swimming (OR = 2.17; 95%CI = 1.19-3.88), and with reported pain while cycling (OR = 1.17; 95%CI = 1.05-3.69) and not cycling (OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.07-2.90). Odds of reporting an acute injury increased when biking to work (OR = 1.79; 95%CI = 1.07-2.86), and decreased with increased average cycling speed (1-km/h decrease OR = 0.93; 95%CI = 0.88-0.97), and compared to low-end bike, with the use of mid-range (OR = 0.25; 95%CI = 0.09-0.72) and high-end bike (OR = 0.34; 95%CI = 0.13-0.96). Although body discomfort was only associated with saddle discomfort and the presence of pain during cycling, saddle discomfort was also associated with biking to work (OR = 0.46; 95%CI = 0.22-0.88). Finally, pain perception was associated with a number of factors such as ride to work, core training, cycling experience, saddle discomfort, pain while not cycling. Numerous factors are associated with injury, and perceptions of discomfort and pain in cyclists. Such factors should be considered when developing training routines, bicycle maintenance best practices, and injury prevention programs

A Multifactorial Approach to Sport-Related Concussion Prevention and Education: Application of the Socioecological Framework

To offer an overview of sport-related concussion (SRC) prevention and education strategies in the context of the socioecological framework (SEF). Athletic trainers (ATs) will understand the many factors that interact to influence SRC prevention and the implications of these interactions for effective SRC education

Motivations Associated With Nondisclosure of Self-Reported Concussions in Former Collegiate Athletes

Previous studies examining non-disclosure among athletes in various settings have found substantial proportions of athletes with undisclosed concussions. Substantial gaps exist in our understanding of the factors influencing athletes’ disclosure of sports-related concussions

Epidemiology of Knee Sprains in Youth, High School, and Collegiate American Football Players

Context: Assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after injury is important. Differences in HRQOL between nonathletes and athletes and between injured and uninjured athletes have been demonstrated; however, the evidence has not been synthesized. Objective: To answer the following questions: (1) Does HRQOL differ among adolescent and collegiate athletes and nonathletes? (2) Does HRQOL differ between injured adolescent and collegiate athletes or between athletes with a history of injury and uninjured athletes or those without a history of injury? Data Sources: We systematically searched CINAHL, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and PubMed. A hand search of references was also conducted. Study Selection: Studies were included if they used generic instruments to compare HRQOL outcomes between athletes and nonathletes and between uninjured and injured athletes. Studies were excluded if they did not use a generic instrument, pertained to instrument development, or included retired athletes or athletes with a chronic disease. Data Extraction: We assessed study quality using the modified Downs and Black Index Tool. Bias-corrected Hedges g effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. The Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) was used to determine the overall strength of the recommendation. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed for all studies using the composite or total score. Data Synthesis: Eight studies with modified Downs and Black scores ranging from 70.6% to 88.4% were included. For question 1, the overall random-effects meta-analysis was weak (effect size = 0.27, 95% confidence interval = 0.14, 0.40; P \u3c .001). For question 2, the overall random-effects meta-analysis was moderate (effect size = 0.68, 95% confidence interval = 0.42, 0.95; P \u3c .001). Conclusions: Grade A evidence indicates that athletes reported better HRQOL than nonathletes and that uninjured athletes reported better HRQOL than injured athletes. However, the overall effect for question 1 was weak, suggesting that the differences between athletes and nonathletes may not be clinically meaningful. Clinicians should monitor HRQOL after injury to ensure that all dimensions of health are appropriately treated