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This study compared 6 weeks of incline treadmill interval training (INC) performed on a 10 % treadmill grade using either sprint-like efforts or slower, longer bouts. 24 individuals were randomly assigned between 2 groups that each completed 2 INC and one 30-min level-grade sessions⋅wk-1. Training intensities, bout durations and the number of intervals per INC session were the velocity associated with VO2max (Vmax), 30 s and 10-14 (INCShort n = 12), and 68 %Vmax, ~3 min and 4-6 (INCLong n = 12), respectively. All 30-min sessions were at 65 %Vmax. Pre- and post-testing assessed VO2max; lactate threshold (VLT); running economy; and time-to-exhaustion at various conditions including 80 %Vmax and 20 % grade (CFMod). Both groups improved significantly in all tests; additionally, INCShort improved significantly more so in VLT and CFMod despite INCLong performing more than 2 times the running each INC session (P < 0.05). Mean effect size (ES) of the relative improvement in a majority of tests revealed a trivial to very large ES of INCShort vs. INCLong training (ES range: 0.05-4.05). We conclude sprintlike INC better than slower, longer INC at improving a key determinant of distance running performance (VLT), and better at preparing individuals for running on courses with a variety of grades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzyme 2,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone dioxygenase (DAD) catalyses the conversion of 2,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and formic acid with the incorporation of molecular oxygen. Whilst the vast majority of dioxygenases cleave within the aromatic ring of the substrate, DAD is very unusual in that it is involved in C-C bond cleavage in a substituent of the aromatic ring. There is evidence that the enzyme is a homotetramer of 20.3 kDa subunits, each containing nonhaem iron, and its sequence suggests that it belongs to the cupin family of dioxygenases. In this paper, the first X-ray structure of a DAD enzyme from the Gram-negative bacterium Alcaligenes sp. 4HAP is reported, at a resolution of 2.2 Å. The structure establishes that the enzyme adopts a cupin fold, forming dimers with a pronounced hydrophobic interface between the monomers. The catalytic iron is coordinated by three histidine residues (76, 78 and 114) within a buried active-site cavity. The iron also appears to be tightly coordinated by an additional ligand which was putatively assigned as a carbonate dianion since this fits the electron density optimally, although it might also be the product formate. The modelled carbonate is located in a position which is highly likely to be occupied by the α-hydroxyketone group of the bound substrate during catalysis. Modelling of a substrate molecule in this position indicates that it will interact with many conserved amino acids in the predominantly hydrophobic active-site pocket where it undergoes peroxide radical-mediated heterolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enzyme 2,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone dioxygenase (or DAD) catalyses the conversion of 2,4′-dihydroxyacetophenone to 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and formic acid with the incorporation of molecular oxygen. Whilst the vast majority of dioxygenases cleave within the aromatic ring of the substrate, DAD is very unusual in that it is involved in C-C bond cleavage in a substituent of the aromatic ring. There is evidence that the enzyme is a homotetramer of 20.3 kDa subunits each containing nonhaem iron and its sequence suggests that it belongs to the cupin family of dioxygenases. By the use of limited chymotrypsinolysis, the DAD enzyme from Alcaligenes sp. 4HAP has been crystallized in a form that diffracts synchrotron radiation to a resolution of 2.2 Å. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the effect of bracing and taping on selected electromyographic, kinematic, and kinetic variables when landing from a jump.Methods: Fifteen netball players performed a jump, so as to land on their dominant limb on a force plate. Electromyographic activity was recorded from the gastrocnemius, tibialis anterior, and peroneus longus muscles. Subjects were also filmed and measures of rearfoot motion were derived.Results: Significantly less electromyographic activity (p<0.007) was observed from the gastrocnemius and peroneus longus muscle groups when subjects were braced. No other significant electromyographical findings were observed. Peak vertical ground reaction force and time to peak for vertical ground reaction force were not affected by bracing and taping, nor were the rearfoot and Achilles tendon angles at foot strike.Conclusions: The effect of bracing and taping on the selected biomechanics variables associated with landing was specifically limited to a reduction in muscle action, particularly for the braced condition. Netball players can be confident that the biomechanics of their landing patterns will not be altered whether they choose to wear a brace or tape their ankle joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A computer pattern recognition system, RAPID, was used to measure the spontaneous activity of male Sprague-Dawley rats during six observational periods distributed over 11 days after a single oral dose of triethyltin bromide (TET) at 3 or 5 mg/kg. These observational periods were distributed between those taken under red light conditions during the animals normal dark cycle (Days 2, 7, and 10 after exposure) and those taken under white light conditions during the animals normal light cycle (Days 3, 6, and 11 after exposure). Significant disruption of the normal behavioral patterns were observed on Days 2 and 7 for the 3 mg/kg-exposed group and on Days 2, 3, 6, 7, and 10 for the 5 mg/kg-exposed group. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Albino rats immunized with sonicated microfilaria! antigen incorporated in Freund's complete adjuvant, produce antibodies that promote cell-mediated adhesion and killing of Litomosoides carinii microfilariae in vitro. Using highly purified cell populations, it has been shown that macrophage's and neutrophils are mos active in this phenomenon. Eosinophils. while adhering readily Eo parasites in the presence of the antibody, did not affect the viability of the parasites when observed after 24 hr incubation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation between injury profiles - including assessment, treatment, severity, and the perceived reason for the injury - and participation in competitive netball. METHODS: Between 1985 and 1989, approximately 11,228 netball players participated in a 14 week netball competition held at the major competitive centre in Western Australia; 608 netball players presented to the first aid room with an injury and were assessed and treated by the same physiotherapist and St John First Aid officer. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate during competition was 5.4%, with more injuries occurring in the A grade level of play. Ankle injuries (84%) were most frequent, with 67% of these injuries diagnosed as lateral ligament sprains while a further 10% of players who suffered this classification of injury sustained a fracture to the ankle or foot. Few injuries occurred at the knee joint (8.3%) and only 1.8% of these injuries were diagnosed as an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. The direct probability of a netball players' risk estimate was 0.054 per person per match which implied that netball was a relatively safe game. Injuries sustained during practice were not included in this study. CONCLUSIONS: Netball is a relatively safe game though the potential for injury increases with the level of competition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The passing and landing patterns among netball players were investigated by examining all the 595 passes in an international match between Australia and New Zealand. Intra-class correlations were used to test inter-observer reliability. The independence of two variables was tested using a Pearson chi 2 test and a contingency coefficient was used to assess the degree of association between variables. An inter-rater reliability in the identification of movement patterns was 0.99. Most of the landings observed in this match were on the forefoot and not the hindfoot as generally reported in controlled experiments. Only 14% of the players leapt to receive a pass compared with 76% reported earlier under controlled environments. The distribution of passing techniques unexpectedly showed that approximately 50% of all the players did not reach for the ball as it was thrown directly to them. However, over 70% of the players threw straight passes which were mainly received in the chest quadrant and other types of passes such as loop, bounce and rebound were used less frequently. Nearly 50% of all players used a right-handed pass to dispose of the ball, while the next most popular pass was to use both hands (40.2%). Landing and passing patterns differed between players in different positions. Footfall patterns on landing after a catch were associated with the trajectory of the ball. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Methods of coating polypropylene fabric with polypropylene or polyethylene have been studied. Extrusion coating was most easily adaptable to commercial use, and gave good bond strength for poly propylene coating. Polyethylene gave marginally low bond strengths which can be improved by various surface treatments prior to coating. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aims: To investigate the relation between somatotype, performance characteristics, and the incidence of injury during the Australian Netball Championships.Method: Two hundred and forty high performance netball players competed at the Australian Netball Championships in which 213 (89%) were measured using the Heath-Carter somatotype scale. During these championships, in conjunction with the injury assessments, data analysis included a three factor analysis of variance (level of competition, playing position, and injury) for the dependent somatotype variables (endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectopmorphy), and the level of significance was set at 0.05.Results: For the three dependent somatotype variables, there were no main effects between endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy), and the level of significance was set at 0.05.Results: For the three dependent somatotype variables, there were no main effects between endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy and the incidence of injury. However, for the mesomorphy and ectomorphy variables, significant main effects for the playing position were found. No main effects existed between the somatotype variables and levels of competition.Conclusion: The somatotype variables did not influence the incidence of injury, but mesomorphy and ectomorphy did influence the different playing positions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "A Pilot Study to Investigate the Short-Term Effects of Specific Soft Tissue Massage on Upper Cervical Movement Impairment in Patients with Cervicogenic Headache" by Hopper D and Bajaj Y is presented.

Introduction: 2022 was a landmark year with two adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) receiving conditional marketing authorization from EMA for the treatment of persons with severe haemophilia A and severe to moderately severe haemophilia B and a third in 2024. Gene therapy is a transformative, irreversible treatment with long-lasting effects, necessitating development of new clinical pathways to ensure optimal outcomes., Aim: To develop a consensus framework and service specification for delivery of AAV gene therapy for haemophilia in adults within the UK using the hub-and-spoke model proposed by the European Association of Haemophilia and Allied Disorders and the European Haemophilia Consortium., Methods: The UK Haemophilia Centre Doctors Organisation (UKHCDO) set up a working party to develop expert consensus guidance, working with NHS England to ensure alignment with NHS England commissioning and the national service specification., Results: These guidelines detail the patient pathway, counselling and governance requirements for the hub-and-spoke model. The national service specification requires the hub site to manage governance for AAV-based gene therapy. Proposed regional and national multidisciplinary teams will harmonize clinical practices incorporating expertise from various specialities and professional groups. Key requirements identified include standardized documentation and multidisciplinary collaboration. Nationally agreed patient information and counselling checklists will streamline the informed consent process and facilitate data collection for long-term safety and efficacy monitoring., Conclusion: These guidelines provide a structured framework for the delivery of liver-directed gene therapy. Whilst specific to the United Kingdom they provide a framework for the implementation of gene therapy in other countries for haemophilia and other monogenic disorders., (© 2024 The Author(s). Haemophilia published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)