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Holtgeerts, RN, Gann, J, Jung, HC, and Hey, W. The impact of recovery time on performance in Division I collegiate beach volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 667-673, 2022-The sport of beach volleyball has recently grown significantly at the collegiate level, and collegiate beach volleyball players often practice and compete 5 or 6 days per week during the competitive season. This study examined the effects of the amount of recovery time on performance in Division 1 Collegiate beach volleyball players. Ten female NCAA Division 1 beach volleyball players, aged 20.2 ± 1.23 years, participated in the study. Subjects completed 2 trials consisting of 4 sessions of volleyball play (with a 24-hour recovery trial and 48-hour recovery trial). Trials were randomized and counter balanced. Each trial measured counter-movement jump, 5-10-5 agility time, 3 beach volleyball drills, and scores of a beach volleyball match. Perceived recovery, sleep quality, and rating of perceived exertion were also recorded. The significance level set for the study was p ≤ 0.05. Counter-movement jump showed small but significant increases following the 24-hour recovery period (p ≤ 0.05). 5-10-5 agility test showed significant improvement with the 48-hour recovery period (p ≤ 0.05). Perceived Recovery scores demonstrated significant increases in both recovery periods (p ≤ 0.05). Beach volleyball drill and match performance were not affected by the change in recovery time. These results indicate that, although some physical skills are affected by recovery time, beach volleyball performance as a whole is relatively stable over several days. It is normal for NCAA athletes to play back-to-back days and with little recovery time, and these results indicate that this practice does not negatively affect sport performance.

This study aimed to examine morphological and physical fitness profile in collegiate water skiers and to identify the potential morphological and physical fitness factors, important for success in the slalom, trick, and jump events. Twenty collegiate water skiers were subject to anthropometric, somatotype measurements and a battery of physical tests inclusive of water ski-specific fitness variables. An independent t-test was used to compare the gender differences of dependent variables. Partial correlation and linear regression analyses were used to identify the factors that are associated with water ski performance. Male water skiers were lower in endomorphic component and better in power, speed, and cardiorespiratory fitness than female water skiers (p &lt, 0.05). Somatotype such as mesomorphic (r = &minus, 0.48) and ectomorphic components (r = &minus, 0.60), sum of hand-grip strength (r = 0.98), and muscular endurance including posterior extension (r = 0.59) and left lateral flexion (r = 0.63) were significantly correlated with water skiing performance score (p &lt, 0.05). The results of regression analyses showed that mesomorphic component (r2 = 0.24, p = 0.04), sum of hand-grip strength (r2 = 0.95, p = 0.001), and muscular endurance (r2 = 0.30, p = 0.03), appear to be crucial factors associated with water ski performance in slalom, trick (hands pass), and the jump events, respectively. Our study suggests that different morphological and fitness components are required to succeed in each tournament water skiing event. Coaches and athletes can utilize the battery of physical tests and design a specialized training regimen for each tournament water skiing event.

In this paper we present a new bioinspired bicondylar knee joint that requires a smaller actuator size when compared to a constant moment arm joint. Unlike existing prosthetic joints, the proposed mechanism replicates the elastic, rolling and sliding elements of the human knee. As a result, the moment arm that the actuators can impart on the joint changes as function of the angle, producing the equivalent of a variable transmission. By employing a similar moment arm-angle profile as the human knee the peak actuator force for stair ascent can be reduced by 12% compared to a constant moment arm joint addressing critical impediments in weight and power for robotics limbs. Additionally, the knee employs mechanical 'ligaments' containing stretch sensors to replicate the neurosensory and compliant elements of the joint. We demonstrate experimentally how the ligament stretch can be used to estimate joint angle, therefore overcoming the difficulty of sensing position in a bicondylar joint.

Human chaperonin 10 (Cpn10) and chaperonin 60 (Cpn60) fulfil an essential role in mitochondrial protein folding. Cpn10 is located in the mitochondrial matrix; however, it has also been detected in extra-mitochondrial compartments where it has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory activity, suggesting a potential therapeutic value for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders that corresponds with its recently proposed role as a resolution-associated molecular patterns (RAMPs) molecule. Ala-Cpn10, a recombinant, minimally modified Cpn10 synthesised in Escherichia coli , is formulated for use in clinical trials and pre-clinical studies with intravenous or subcutaneous administration. Herein, we report the development of a bioprocess for the production of ∼115 g of recombinant human Ala-Cpn10 from a 100 L E. coli fermentation with >99% purity (SDS-PAGE), −1 endotoxin, −1 DNA and 3.2% molecular variants. This bioprocess was achieved through a careful optimisation of the gene construct, the promoter system and the fermentation process. Recombinant Ala-Cpn10 produced in this process is active as a molecular chaperone indicating correct tertiary and quaternary structure and the stability profile indicates no significant changes with storage as a liquid for at least 3 years at 2–8 °C. The results of validated characterisation assays demonstrate that purified Ala-Cpn10 produced using the optimised process reported here is suitable for its intended purpose as an investigational drug product, and this material is currently being tested in a phase II study for efficacy, safety and impact on biomarkers in subjects with mildly active Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) under US IND 116156.

As a result of improved public health and medical advances, not only has life expectancy among older people increased, but the importance of quality of life in terms of health in later life has also increased. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between socio-demographic factors, health-related behaviors, residents' satisfaction, and functional disability levels among elderly people living in nursing homes in Turkey using the World Health Organization's Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF). Data regarding socio-demographic characteristics, chronic health problems, health-related behaviors (smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, etc.) were collected from the study group (N=107) by a structured questionnaire during face-to-face interviews. Dependencies in activities of daily living (ADL) of the study group were also assessed using Katz's ADL index. The mean WHOQOL-BREF scores were significantly higher in participants who had independence in performing ADL (bathing, dressing, toileting, transfer, continence, feeding) (p

The purpose of this study was to use a body-mind-spirit model to measure wellness behaviors and characteristics and develop the Body-Mind-Spirit Wellness Behavior and Characteristic Inventory (BMS-WBCI) for college students. The first study of this two-part project included item generation and factor analysis using 1,000 college students with average loadings of .64, .51, and .58 for the Spirit, Mind, and Body factors, respectively. Using a minimum 4.0 Eigenvalue criterion, the factors accounted for 30% of item variance. The second study phase included validity testing using TestWell (college version), a meal screener, and construct physical activity question with 141 students. The BMS-WBCI dimensions had high, positive correlations with all appropriate TestWell subscales. The Body dimension significantly correlated with the By-Meal Screener and physical activity question. Factor split-half reliabilities ranged from .73 to .84 and alpha coefficients ranged from .75 to .92. Implications and utilization of the BMSWBCI for college students are discussed.

Primate polyomavirus genomes all contain an open reading frame at the 5′ end of the late coding region called the agnogene. A simian virus 40 agnoprotein with unknown functions has previously been demonstrated. We now show that a BK virus agnoprotein appears in the perinuclear area and cytoplasm late in the infectious cycle. It is phosphorylated in vivo and coimmunoprecipitates with a subset of host cell proteins.

Although the origin of autoimmune antibodies to double-stranded DNA is not known, the variable-region structures of such antibodies indicate that they are produced in response to antigen-selective stimulation. In accordance with this, results from experiments using artificial complexes of DNA and DNA-binding polypeptides for immunizations have indicated that DNA may induce these antibodies. Hence, the immunogenicity of DNA in vivo may depend upon other structures or processes that may render DNA immunogenic. We report that in vivo expression of a single DNA-binding protein, the polyoma virus T antigen, is sufficient to initiate production of anti-double-stranded DNA and anti-histone antibodies but not a panel of other autoantigens. Expression of a mutant, non-DNA-binding T antigen did result in strong production of antibodies to the T antigen, but only borderline levels of antibodies to DNA and no detectable antibodies to histones. Nonexpressing plasmid DNA containing the complete cDNA sequence for T antigen did not evoke such immune responses, indicating that DNA by itself is not immunogenic in vivo. The results represent a conceptual advance in understanding a potential molecular basis for initiation of autoimmunity in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Introduction Chemical synthesis is currently seen as the method of choice for production of therapeutic peptides. Production through recombinant bacteria is a viable alternative but is not often pursued due to perceived problems with efficiency and proteolysis. BresaGen has developed a “toolkit” approach for production of peptides as insoluble fusion proteins in E coli. Segregation of peptides into insoluble inclusion bodies allows high expression rates and protects the peptides from proteolysis, while simplifying purification. A variety of fusion partners and cleavage mechanisms allow the system to be customized for the peptide in question, which is important in view of the widely-differing properties of different peptides with therapeutic potential. Certain post-translational modifications such as amidation at the carboxy terminal may also be incorporated. Recently, BresaGen has applied this approach to production of AOD9604, a 16 residue peptide being developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals (Melbourne, Australia) as a potential anti-obesity drug (Fig. 1). A version of AOD9604 produced by chemical synthesis is presently in Phase II clinical trials. However, in view of the extremely large potential market for this product and the need to keep production costs as low as possible, BresaGen were commissioned to develop a recombinant method for production of this peptide.

Purpose. E21R is a competitive inhibitor of GM-CSF. This is the initial clinical study to investigate the safety, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of escalating doses of E21R. Patients and methods. Cohorts of three patients received doses of 10, 30, 100, 300, 600 and 1000 µg/kg per day given subcutaneously daily for 10 days. Eligible patients had solid tumours known to express GM-CSF receptors (breast, prostate, colon and lung cancer, and melanoma). No bone marrow involvement or concomitant steroids were permitted. A total of 22 patients received doses ranging from 10 to 1000 µg/kg per day. There were 18 males and 4 females with a median age of 60 years (range 33 to 81 years). Eight patients had an ECOG performance status of 0, seven a performance status of 1, and seven a performance status of 2. There were ten patients with colon cancer, four with prostate cancer, three with lung cancer, three with melanoma and two with breast cancer. Results. E21R was in general well tolerated and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The most severe toxicities were WHO grade 3 injection site erythema in one patient and grade 2 in two patients, grade 2 lethargy in three patients and grade 2 muscle aches and soreness, grade 2 joint pains and grade 2 thirst in one patient each. The primary pharmacokinetic parameters were dose-independent. Dose-dependent transient eosinophilia was noted from day 3. A fall in PSA levels was recorded in two patients with prostate cancer during their initial cycles of E21R, but they subsequently rose again. Serum from patients treated at 600 and 1000 µg/kg per day antagonized GM-CSF-mediated TF-1 cell proliferation in vitro. Conclusion. E21R can be safely given at doses up to 1000 µg/kg per day.

Production of antisera against proteins that are not amenable to easy purification is most efficiently achieved by expressing the protein as a fusion product in bacteria. However, smaller polypeptides may present difficulties, since the majority of the antibodies may be directed against the fusion partner if the whole fusion protein is used as immunogen, while the target peptide alone may be a poor immunogen due to its small size. We have circumvented this problem through the use of two different fusion partners. The first fusion protein is used for priming the immune response and the first boost, while another fusion partner is substituted for the second boost. Five different polypeptides derived from the human polyomavirus BK, ranging in molecular weight from 4400 (39 amino acid residues) to 11,500 (96 amino acid residues), were used to test this approach. The results obtained indicate that this procedure may be very useful in raising antibodies against small antigens.

The effects of a 4-week ballistic training program on neurological adaptation in trained high school athletes was assessed. Thirty-eight senior high school athletes (12 young women and 26 young men) were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EXP, n = 20) or a control group (CON, n = 18). The only alteration in training was that EXP engaged in a new type of ballistic training over the 4-week experimental period. Measurements included total body weight (TBW), sum of skinfolds (SS), thigh circumference (TC), hip circumference (HC), 36.6-m speed (SP), and vertical jump power (VJP). Data were collected 3 times during the experiment. Results indicated that the ballistic training stimulated a significant improvement in SP in EXP compared with CON, which could not be accounted for by increases in HC or TC in EXP. It was concluded that neurological adaptation does occur in trained athletes when a new training stimulus is implemented.